Canada announces funding for seniors’ homes for Indigenous Elders in Grande Cache

Grande Cache, Alberta, June 18, 2026

Far too many Canadians are struggling to find homes they can afford. Solving Canada’s housing crisis requires immediate action to bring down costs, cut red tape, and build homes more quickly. The Government of Canada is stepping up with a bold new approach to build affordable housing across the country.

Central to that work, the Government of Canada has launched Build Canada Homes, which is helping increase the pace of affordable homebuilding. Build Canada Homes is also helping fight homelessness by building transitional and supportive housing — working with provinces, territories, municipalities, and Indigenous communities. It is building deeply affordable and community housing for low-income households, and partnering with private market developers to build affordable homes for the Canadian middle class.

As part of the Government of Canada’s broader efforts to respond to the housing crisis, investments are being made across the housing continuum to respond to the needs of communities across Canada.

Today, the federal government, announced funding for new homes for seniors near the Rocky Mountain community of Grande Cache. Called Kikinow Elders Lodge, the new homes are located at 10210 Victor Lake Co-operative Road. The funding will enable 12 homes and provide culturally appropriate homes for local Indigenous Elders from the displaced Indigenous communities belonging to the Rocky Mountain Cree and Mountain Metis who moved from Jasper and settled around Grande Cache. The new 17,200 square foot lodge includes 10 one-bedroom and 2 two-bedroom homes that uphold the community’s identity and values. Along with kitchen and dining supports, the building also features a teepee round space for gatherings and a spirit room for smudging ceremonies. Kikinow means "our home" in Cree.

The Government of Canada is making the housing investments that will help strengthen Canadian supply chains and create good jobs at every step of the homebuilding process — helping to build more homes and a stronger Canadian economy at the same time.

Quotes:

“Everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to call home in the community they know and love. The Kikinow Elders Lodge will give Indigenous Elders in Grande Cache, Alberta access to culturally appropriate housing close to family, community, and the supports they rely on. By working with partners, we are helping build stronger communities and ensuring Elders can age with dignity, connection, and care alongside their loved ones.”
— The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, and Member of Parliament for Edmonton Centre on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development

“Alberta’s government is committed to ensuring seniors can age in place with comfort, dignity, and access to the supports they need, and through this investment, that's exactly what we're doing. Together with our partners, the Evergreen Foundation and with forward thinking leadership from the Victor Lake Co-operative, we're building new homes for Indigenous Elders and other seniors in the community.”
— The Honourable Nathan Neudorf, Alberta’s Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services and Minister Responsible for Housing

“Kikinow Elders Lodge is more than a building — it is a promise kept. A promise to our Elders that they will be seen, honoured, and cared for in a place that reflects their dignity and their belonging. The Evergreens Foundation exists to make exactly this kind of moment possible, and today, we celebrate not just the work of many hands, but the trust of an entire community. We are grateful to everyone who walked this journey with us — from the earliest conversations to this ribbon — and we are proud to open these doors.”
— Kristen Chambers, Chief Administrative Officer The Evergreens Foundation

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 and Infrastructure Project Map shows affordable housing projects that have been developed.
- As of December 2025, the federal government has committed $76.13 billion to support the creation of over 195,800 units and the repair of over 359,400 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.
- NHS is built on strong partnerships between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, and continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private housing sectors. This includes consultations with Canadians from all walks of life, and people with lived experience of housing need.
The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) provided funding through low-interest and/or forgivable loans or contributions to partnered organizations for new affordable housing and the renovation and repair of existing, affordable and community housing. This was a $16.1 billion program under the National Housing Strategy (NHS) that gave priority to projects that help people who need it most, including women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous Peoples, people living with disabilities, those with mental health or addiction issues, Veterans, and young adults. The application portal for AHF is now closed as all funding has been committed.
- As of December 2025, the Government of Canada has committed $14.44 billion to support the creation of over 56,900 units and the repair of over 174,700 units through the Affordable Housing Fund.
- On September 19, 2025, the Government of Canada announced $1.5 billion top-up in loans for the AHF’s New Construction Stream, to support the creation of over 5,000 new units starting in 2025 – 26. Additionally, the AHF’s Rapid Housing Sub-Stream will be accelerated, by pulling $385 million in funding from future years.
Alberta’s Indigenous Housing Capital Program supports Indigenous governments and communities in building affordable off-reserve, off-settlement and on-settlement housing.
- Through the Indigenous Housing Capital Program, Alberta’s government has approved $73.5 million for 22 projects totalling 521 units.
Funding provided for Kikinow Elders Lodge is as follows:
- $8.6 million from the federal government through the Affordable Housing Fund
- $2.3 million in joint funding from the Alberta Indigenous Housing Capital Program through the Canada – Alberta Bilateral Agreement under the National Housing Strategy (previously announced)
- $2 million from the Municipal District of Greenview
- The remaining project cost was borne by the Evergreen Foundation through capital requisitions from its six member municipalities

Additional information:

Visit canada.ca/housing for the most-requested Government of Canada housing information.

Build Canada Homes is ready to partner with organizations committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing across Canada. Learn more about the portal and the Investment Policy Framework.

CMHC plays a critical role as a national convenor to promote stability and sustainability in Canada’s housing finance system. CMHC’s mortgage insurance products support access to home ownership and the creation and maintenance of rental supply. CMHC research and data help inform housing policy. By facilitating cooperation between all levels of government, private and non-profit sectors, CMHC contributes to advancing housing affordability, equity, and climate compatibility. CMHC actively supports the Government of Canada in delivering on its commitment to make housing more affordable.

Follow CMHC on X, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.