September 6, 2024 — Toronto, Territories of the Mississaugas of New Credit and the ancestral home of the Huron-Wendat. — Indigenous Services Canada

Today, the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth of Canada, and Pam Damoff, Member of Parliament for Oakville North — Burlington and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Consular Affairs), on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, and National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated (NICHI) Chief Executive Officer John Gordon, announced the recipients of NICHI’s expression of need process to address the critical need for safe and affordable urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing projects in Southern Ontario.  

Today’s announcement includes almost $24 million in funding for 4 organizations in Southern Ontario totalling up to 99 housing units and crucial staffing measures led by: 

• Thunder Woman Healing Lodge Society, Toronto
• Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres, Toronto
• Na-Me-Res,(Native Men’s Residence), Toronto
• Brantford Native Housing, Brantford

Through the national process, $273.9 million out of a total funding amount of $281.5 million is being distributed to 72 projects across the country aimed at building approximately 3725 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. 

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. 

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 People Articles 21 and 23.