Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy

Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy

The 2021 mandate letter for the former Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion emphasized the Canadian Government's dedication to collaborate with Indigenous partners. The aim was to co-develop an Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy, a unique supplement to the National Housing Strategy, bolstered by specific investments. As part of the Strategy, the mandate letter committed to the establishment of Canada's first National Indigenous Housing Centre. CMHC is helping to fulfill this commitment and is working with Indigenous partners on the development of the Strategy.

The Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy will complement the 3 existing distinction-based housing strategies:

• First Nations Housing and Related Infrastructure Strategy
• the Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy, and
• the Métis Nation Housing Sub Accord

Budget 2022 committed $300 million to co-develop and launch an Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy with Indigenous partners to address the housing needs of Indigenous Peoples living in urban, rural and northern areas. Most of this funding flowed through Indigenous Services Canada to the National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated (NICHI) to address Indigenous-led projects for urgent, unmet needs in urban, rural and northern areas. A small portion of this funding was flowed through CMHC to support engagement for the broader Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy. CMHC supported these engagements in collaboration with Indigenous Services Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada. Improving the quality and affordability of housing for Indigenous Peoples living in urban, rural and northern areas is a priority for the Government of Canada and an important commitment on the path toward reconciliation.