Creating a home for our youth

The “Creating a Home for Our Youth” project explored the unique needs of Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) youth. The research highlights the importance of addressing systemic housing challenges through policy, infrastructure and support system improvements. By integrating housing with social services, education and justice reforms, these actions aim to break the cycle of housing precarity and create lasting solutions for NAN youth.

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Project scope and expected outcomes

Addressing systemic housing challenges for NAN youth

The shortage and inadequacy of on-reserve housing force many northern First Nations youth, including Nishnawbe Aski Nation youth, to move to urban centres for housing. This often moves youth away from their families into inappropriate or precarious housing situations and without proper support systems.

The “Creating a Home for Our Youth” study focused on the housing needs of NAN youth. The research included:

• interviews with NAN youth and service providers
• community workshops
• network mapping of housing services
• literature reviews on housing policies

Key findings

The research identified barriers faced by NAN youth including:

• overcrowded housing on reserve
• long waitlists for on-reserve housing
• systemic challenges in accessing social housing

The study also showed that stable housing is closely tied to access to education, healthcare, justice and child and family services, requiring a holistic approach to policy solutions.

Youth-identified needs

Through the study, NAN youth highlighted the importance of:

• more transitional housing options
• improved support navigating social housing systems
• culturally appropriate housing solutions that foster community and stability

While the research confirmed systemic housing challenges, it also revealed the critical role of mobility in housing precarity. NAN youth frequently move between different forms of shelter, often without long-term stability. Addressing their needs requires systemic changes and integrated supports that extend beyond housing, such as access to mental health services and dedicated NAN youth shelters.

Recommendations for action

The research showed that addressing systemic housing precarity for NAN youth should integrate housing, social services, education, and justice reforms. Recommendations included:

• Building 7,500 housing units in NAN territory with proper infrastructure, water and wastewater systems.
• Developing specialized NAN youth housing, including dedicated emergency and transitional housing in every NAN First Nation.
• Funding full-time housing support navigators to help NAN youth access housing services, financial literacy programs and tenant rights education.
• Indexing increased social housing subsidies to local market rates and removing barriers for NAN youth aging out of care to ensure stable transitions to independent living.
• Creating NAN youth-specific shelters and services in Thunder Bay and other urban centres, ensuring culturally appropriate, trauma-informed care.
• Expanding education and healthcare access, including improved on-reserve schools and healthcare facilities, with special attention to mental health services.

By integrating housing reforms with social services, education and justice systems, these measures aim to break the cycle of housing precarity for NAN youth. Together, they create the foundation for long-lasting stability, community connection and opportunity.

Download the final report