Engagement on an Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy

This engagement builds on the work done by Indigenous groups, non-profit associations, stakeholders and parliamentarians.

It consists of Indigenous-led engagements for further ideas on key priorities, governance models and funding needs for a long-term Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy.

An Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy will complement the 3 existing distinctions-based housing strategies for First Nations, Inuit and Métis.

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.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

We are not starting from scratch. There is important research and work available from Indigenous groups, non-profit associations, stakeholders, parliamentarians and others. The following list provides a review of previously completed work.

Aboriginal Housing and Management Corporation (AHMA)

The Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) was established in 1996 with a mission to “lead and advance housing rights for ALL Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia”. AHMA is comprised of 55 Indigenous housing and service providers located across BC. These members manage more the 95% of all Indigenous housing units in urban, rural, and northern areas of the province (off reserve).

Read the report: Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy - BC (PDF) (2022)

The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness leads a national movement of individuals, organizations and communities working together to end homelessness in Canada.

Read the report: Recovery For All: Proposals to Strengthen the National Housing Strategy and End Homelessness (2020)

Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills, and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Read the report: An Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy for Canada (PDF) (November 2020)

Urban, rural, and northern Indigenous housing providers across Canada are facing important changes to their funding and significant increases to demand for their services.

Read the report: Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing: The Next Step (PDF) (2019)

The Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP) is one of five National Indigenous Representative Organizations recognized by the Government of Canada. Founded in 1971 as the Native Council of Canada (NCC), the organization was originally established to represent the interests of Métis and non-status Indians. Reorganized and renamed in 1993, CAP has extended its constituency to include all off-reserve status and non-status Indians, Métis and Southern Inuit Indigenous Peoples, and serves as the national voice for its 10 provincial and territorial affiliate organizations.

Read the report: Urban Indigenous Housing Issues (PDF) (April 2020)

CHF Canada is the national voice of co-operative housing, representing 2,200 housing cooperatives, home to a quarter of a million people in every province and territory.

Read the report: Written Submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the State of Persons with Disabilities (PDF) (2021)

The Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities studies employment, labour, income security, skills development and disability issues, as well as programs administered by Employment and Social Development Canada. The Committee also administers the Centennial Flame Research Award.

Read the report: Report of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities (HUMA) (2021)

Report of the Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (INAN)

Recognizing the harms caused to Indigenous people by the housing shortage, on February 15, 2022, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Indigenous and Northern Affairs (the committee) adopted the following motion to [among other items]:

• Undertake a study on the effects of the housing shortage on Indigenous people across Canada;
• Report its findings and recommendations to the House; and that the committee request that the government table a comprehensive response to the report within a year.

Read the report: The Effects of The Housing Shortage on Indigenous Peoples in Canada (Jun. 2022)

Les Femmes Michif Otipemisiwak (LFMO) is the National Indigenous Women’s Organization democratically mandated to represent the Women of the Métis Nation across the Métis Motherland. (metiswomen.org)

Read the report: “My Ancestors would be Proud of Us”: Métis Women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People’s Housing Histories, Experiences, Struggles, and Perspectives (PDF) (2022)

The NAERHH is a peer-led network dedicated to preventing, reducing and ending homelessness in rural and remote communities through advocacy, research, training and peer learning. The NAERRH is an allied network of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness.

Read the report: A Call for Strategic Investments to End Homelessness in Rural and Remote Communities Across Canada (PDF) (2021)

The National Housing Council (the Council) recognizes the existing gaps in housing approaches and outcomes in urban, rural, and northern (URN) Indigenous housing and the urgency with which they must be addressed.

Read the report: Report and Recommendations to the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion on Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing (PDF) (2022)

In 2016, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls was launched as a key government initiative to end the disproportionally high levels of violence faced by Indigenous women and girls.

Read the report: Reclaiming Power and Place: The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (2019) 

A submission to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills, and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

The Native Council of Prince Edward Island is a community of Indigenous people living off-reserve in traditional Mi’kmaq territory. NCPEI is the self-governing authority for all off-reserve Indigenous people living on Epekwitk (PEI).

Read the report: Canada’s housing policies, off-reserve Indigenous people, and the National Housing Strategy since 2017 (PDF) (2021)

The Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC) is a national Indigenous organization representing the political voice of Indigenous women and girls in Canada.

Read the report: Indigenous Housing: Policy and Engagement - Final Report to Indigenous Services Canada (nwac.ca) (PDF) (2020)

Report prepared at the request of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities

Read the report: Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing (2021)

ONPHA educates, strengthens and advocates for Ontario’s community housing sector. ONPHA represents over 700 Ontario non-profit housing providers, housing over 400,000 people in 170,000 homes across 220 communities.

Read the report: Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services: An Urban and Rural Indigenous Housing Implementation Plan for Ontario (PDF) (2020)

Pauktuutit is the national non-profit organization representing all Inuit women in Canada. Its mandate is to foster a greater awareness of the needs of Inuit women, and to encourage their participation in community, regional and national concerns in relation to social, cultural and economic development.

Read the report: Ottawa Inuit Women’s Housing and Shelter Needs Assessment (2021)

• Housing Need (PDF)
• Housing Access (PDF)
• Housing Funding (PDF)
• Urban Indigenous Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Rural Indigenous Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Northern Indigenous Fact Sheet (PDF)