OTTAWA, Ont.—In late October, the National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated (NICHI) team announced the recipients of funding to address the critical need for safe and affordable urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing projects in Canadian provinces and territories.
Through the national process, $277.8 million out of a total funding amount of $281.5 million is being distributed to 75 projects across the country, aimed at building more than 3800 units. This funding was provided to Indigenous Services Canada through Budget 2022 and was distributed by NICHI, applying its "For Indigenous, By Indigenous" approach. NICHI brings together Indigenous-led housing, homelessness, and housing-related service delivery organizations to provide lasting solutions that address diverse housing inadequacies including homelessness for Indigenous Peoples living in urban, rural and northern areas.
NICHI held its expression of need process from late November 2023 to January 12, 2024, and funding was allocated to 75 non-profit, Indigenous-led housing organizations by an objective, unbiased Project Selection Advisory Council who prioritized urgent and unmet housing need in Indigenous communities across the country. Currently, $3.7 million of the total funding amount remains to be allocated.
Over 171,000 Indigenous Peoples in urban, rural and northern areas off reserve are in core housing need according to the 2021 Census. Indigenous Peoples continue to experience core housing needs at a significantly higher rate than non-Indigenous people – with the gap between them being exacerbated by the housing and homelessness crisis and by inadequacies in distinctions-based funding.
Through a For Indigenous, By Indigenous approach to Indigenous housing that recognizes Indigenous organizations are best placed to understand the needs of their communities, Indigenous Services Canada is striving to close this gap by 2030.
"Indigenous housing providers deserve Indigenous advocacy at the national level. By securing this investment and developing a For Indigenous, By Indigenous funding process, NICHI is putting Indigenous people back in charge of housing policy for our people and communities," said John Gordon, chief executive officer for the National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated. "The overwhelming expression of need we received in our application process-totalling $2 billion across 447 applications-demonstrates that the work is far from over-but today, we're excited to announce funding that will make a positive impact in the lives of Indigenous peoples."
Access to safe and affordable housing is critical to improving health and social outcomes, and to ensure a better future for Indigenous communities. This funding initiative is part of the Government of Canada's commitment to address the social determinants of health and advance self-determination in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Articles 21 and 23.
Support for projects will include funding for acquisitions of new properties and buildings, construction of new facilities, repairs and renovations, housing-related training, growing organizational capacity and administration costs.
The initiatives receiving funding include:
—$13 million in funding for 3 projects in Nunavut led by:
• YWCA Agvik Nunavut
• Uquutaq Society - Butler Affordable Housing
• Pairijiit Tigummiaqtikkut Society - Elder Housing Capacity building
—$58 million in funding for 12 projects in Ontario led by:
• Seven Generations Education Institute
• Brantford Native Housing
• Kekekoziibii Development Corporation
• Na-Me-Res,(Native Men's Residence)
• Thunder Woman Healing Lodge Society
• Endaayaan Awejaa
• Fort Albany Women's Shelter (2 projects)
• Thunder Women Healing Lodge Society
• Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres
• Reverend Tommy Beardy Memorial Family Treatment Center
• Nahnahda-Wee-ee-Waywin
—$33.5 million in funding for 6 projects in Atlantic Canada led by:
• Wenjikwom Housing Commission Soc
• Tawaak Housing Association (2 projects)
• Native Council of PEI
• Happy Valley-Goose Bay
• Ksalsuti Wellness Resources
—$26 million in funding for 7 projects in the Northwest Territories led by:
• Kasho Gotine Housing Society (two projects)
• Nahanni Butte Dene Band
• The Metis Association Local 52
• Ts'Euh Nda Society
• Northwest Metis Council Inc.
—$21 million in funding for 7 projects in Manitoba led by:
• Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak
• 2Spirit Manitoba
• Winnipeg Indigenous Friendship Centre
• Ndinawemaaganag Endawaad Inc.
• First Nation Healing Centre Inc.
• Flin Flon Aboriginal Friendship Centre
• Manitoba Inuit Association
