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Canada needs more safe shelters for Indigenous women and their children, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people escaping violence
A shelter offers a safe refuge for those experiencing gender-based violence. A shelter is often a first step in rebuilding their lives and protecting them from further violence.
Transitional housing, or second stage housing, provides:
- longer-term housing
- safety and security
- supports and services that will help improve life outcomes
People escaping gender based violence face unique challenges and barriers in accessing safe housing.
CMHC funding is available to create shelters and transitional housing for people escaping gender-based violence. This funding pool is specifically to build or renovate shelters and transitional housing for:
- Indigenous women and children
- 2SLGBTQQIA+ people
CMHC offers 2 funding programs open to shelter and transitional housing providers
This funding helps create much-needed housing for people escaping gender-based abuse or family violence. Both programs are available to Indigenous shelter providers.
We’re partnering with Indigenous Services Canada to support the construction and operations of at least 38 shelters and 50 transitional homes across Canada — including in urban areas and in the North.
Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative expands shelter supports
The Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative is a $724.1 million initiative. This funding is to expand shelter supports for Indigenous women, children and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people escaping gender-based violence.
The shelters and transitional housing built through this initiative will target the needs of First Nations, Inuit and Métis across Canada
If selected, you can receive up to:
- $7.2 million per facility in the Territories and Inuit Nunangat
- $3.48 million per facility in provinces across the country
Selected projects receive an annual allocation to operate the facility:
- $1 million (on average) to operate shelters in the Territories and Inuit Nunangat
- $800,000 (on average) to operate shelters in provinces across the country
- $500,000 (on average) to operate transitional housing across the country
This program is open to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations and governments, including shelter providers who serve First Nations, Inuit and Métis women, children and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people escaping gender-based violence across Canada.
We anticipate this initiative to run until December 2023.
Learn more about this initiative
Women and Children Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative through the National Housing Strategy Co-Investment Fund
This 2-year initiative is for the construction, repair and operating costs of an estimated 560 units of transitional housing and shelter spaces for women and their children fleeing violence. This initiative has:
- $200 million in capital funding committed between now and March 31, 2023
- $50 million in operational funding top-up for new construction projects will be available until 2028
This initiative is open to all shelter and transitional housing providers for women and children escaping gender-based violence
If selected, you can receive up to 100% of total costs. Additionally, your project can qualify for capital funding in the form of a contribution.
If your project is a new build, your project may also be eligible for operational funding top-up.
Projects not selected or unable to make the deadline will be eligible for a second intake window that will open from April 1, 2022 to May 31, 2022.
The first application window for the Women and Children Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative is open now and will remain open until January 30, 2022.
Projects not selected or unable to make the deadline will be eligible for a second intake window in early 2022 or may be considered under the main National Housing Strategy Co-Investment Fund program process.
We want to work with you to make more shelter supports available to women and children escaping gender-based violence. For more information on these initiatives or help with your application, please reach out to your Indigenous and Northern Housing Specialist or your Multi-Unit Housing Specialist.
