November 28, 2024 — Surrey, Unceded territory of Coast Salish Peoples, British Columbia — Indigenous Services Canada

Today, National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated (NICHI) Chief Executive Officer John Gordon and Minister of Indigenous Services and Minister responsible for FedNor, Patty Hajdu, 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 British Columbia.

Today’s announcement includes close to $26.8 million in funding for 16 projects in British Columbia led by:

• Victoria Native Friendship Centre
• Secwépmec Child and Family Services Agency
• Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness
• Fort St John Native Housing Society
• Dakelh & Quesnel Community Housing Society
• Citaapi Mahtii Housing Society
• Dakelh & Quesnel Community Housing Society
• Kekinow Indigenous Programs and Services Society
• Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George
• Island Urban Indigenous Wellness Society
• Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Society
• ALT Jackson Housing Society
• Lu’ma Native BCH Housing Society
• ALT Commercial Housing Society
• Sanala Culturally Supportive Housing Society
• Kekinow Native Housing Society

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 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 ensuring 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.