LET’S TALK HOUSING, What We Heard – Shaping Canada’s National Housing Strategy 2016
Indigenous Housing
Priority Issues
Specific Indigenous housing issues identified by participants during the NHS consultation process include:
- First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities need greater control of their own housing. There are differences among, and distinct needs for, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.
- A nation to nation relationship is needed with the federal government regarding housing.
- There is a lack of capacity (financial, human resources, expert knowledge) within many First Nations communities.
- diverse range of issues to be addressed: affordability, accessibility, new units, maintaining and operating existing stock, building technologies and energy efficiency standards.
- Poor housing has impacts on other socio-economic outcomes of Indigenous peoples, including health and education attainment levels.
- There are gaps in the housing continuum in many communities, and availability of appropriate housing (e.g., multi- family housing, seniors housing, rental housing, social housing with wrap-around health and social services) is lacking, in particular on-reserve.
- A lack of coordination and collaboration among different levels of government and among government departments (e.g., housing, health, and employment) has negatively impacted Indigenous peoples.
- There is a lack of incentives and supports encouraging home ownership among Indigenous populations.
- There are high rates of homelessness among Indigenous peoples living in urban centers, and many experience stereotyping, prejudice and racism when seeking affordable housing options.
- The “on reserve” – “off reserve” perspective of Indigenous peoples’ housing challenges can undermine a more complete appreciation of the overall situation and put artificial boundaries on potential solutions.
The report also provides details on:
- Desired Outcomes
- Opportunities
- Funding
- Data and Research
- Capacity Building
- Impacts of legal agreements