Government of Canada supports organizations driving innovation in the housing sector

Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, February 4, 2025

Today, the federal government announced funding of nearly $14.8 million to help support the predevelopment process of nine indigenous housing projects by Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS) over a three-year period.

This follows the Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith’s, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, January 26 announcement of $118,750 in loans and $96,277,828 in contribution through the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund that will support seven innovative organizations to build more than 3,600 new units across Ontario, including this pre-development funding to OAHS.

This project aims to tackle the housing crisis among urban Indigenous communities. Its approach centers on the concept of “For Indigenous, by Indigenous” ensuring that Indigenous communities have a direct say in the type of housing and building design, including the necessary amenities to support tenants.

It incorporates both financial and social innovation to drive meaningful change. Financial innovation ensures upfront funding needed to launch multiple projects at once, rather than sequentially, and overcoming challenges to hire key professionals like architects and project managers. Social innovation includes providing training for Indigenous employees in project planning, integrating Indigenous design elements, and ensuring the housing is meeting the needs of urban Indigenous communities.

The Affordable Housing Innovation Fund supports new ideas that drive change and disrupt the industry, including designs and approaches that will evolve the affordable housing sector and create the next generation of housing in Canada.

Quotes:

“Our government is committed to rethinking the way we approach affordable housing solutions. This investment of over $14.8 million through the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund is a testament to this commitment. It will not only enable the creation of new homes across Canada, but more importantly, it will drive the discovery of new solutions in the housing industry. We believe that these innovative approaches will not only transform the housing landscape but also create lasting impacts for families and communities across the nation.”
— Terry Sheehan, Member of Parliament for Sault Ste. Marie

“On behalf of the OAHS, chi miigwetch to the Government of Canada and CMHC for this vital investment in Indigenous housing. This $14.8 million in funding strengthens OAHS’s ability to provide safe, affordable, and culturally appropriate housing for Indigenous people across Ontario. Addressing the housing crisis requires strong partnerships between Indigenous organizations and all levels of government, and we are committed to working together to create lasting solutions for Indigenous communities across the province”
— Armand Jourdain Sr., OAHS Board Director & President of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres (OFIFC)

Quick facts:

The National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a 10+ year, $115+ billion plan to give more Canadians a place to call home. Progress on programs and initiatives are updated quarterly on the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) website. The Housing Funding Initiatives Map shows affordable housing projects that have been developed.
- As of September 2024, the federal government has committed $57.57 billion to support the creation of over 156,000 units and the repair of over 297,000 units. These measures prioritize those in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children fleeing violence.
The Affordable Housing Innovation Fund (AHIF) is providing $615.5 million for projects that showcase new funding models and innovative building techniques. The investment is expected to support the construction of over 29,000 new affordable housing units over six years.
The project announced today follows the Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith’s, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, January 26 announcement.

Additional information:

Visit Canada.ca/housing for the most requested Government of Canada housing information.
CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC’s aim is that everyone in Canada has a home they can afford and that meets their needs. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.