Question Period Note: Funding for Indigenous and Northern Housing

How is the Government of Canada working with Indigenous communities to help address housing needs?

• The Government of Canada is committed to improving Indigenous housing outcomes, and to building a renewed relationship together with Indigenous peoples, based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnerships. That is why more than $1.9 billion in funding has been invested exclusively for Indigenous and Northern Housing through the National Housing Strategy.

• Since 2015, the federal government has committed more than $6.7 billion for housing in Indigenous communities and a further $4.3 billion for an Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy.

• The Government of Canada recognizes that gaps in housing for Indigenous peoples continue to persist. Budget 2024 announced additional investments of $918 million to accelerate work in narrowing those gaps.

• The Government of Canada has established permanent bilateral mechanisms with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis leaders to identify joint priorities, co-develop policy and monitor progress. In many cases, these, along with other tables, support joint work on Indigenous housing.

• Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) provide funding to eligible First Nations Communities for housing programs and services. Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) provides funding for the implementation of the Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy and the Métis Nation Housing Sub-Accord, as well as to Modern Treaty and Self-governing First Nations. Announcements for housing funding in Budget 2022 have been augmented with further investments in housing and infrastructure in Budget 2024.

• The $724.1 million Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative was launched in November 2021 to support the construction and operations of additional shelters and transitional homes for Indigenous women, children, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ individuals fleeing gender-based violence, including in urban areas and in the North.

• In addition, the Government of Canada is making investments in the Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy. Budget 2023 committed an additional $4 billion, over seven years, starting in 2024-25, to implement the Strategy.

• The Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy was announced in December 2023.

  • 70% of the Strategy funding is to be delivered via a National Indigenous Housing Centre. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued in early 2024 to select the top-ranking proponent to become the Centre. Next steps will be to reach agreement with the top-ranking proponent, and to announce the outcome of the RFP process.
  • 30% of the funding will be Indigenous directed. Through ISC and CIRNAC, work is underway with Indigenous partners and governments to reach funding agreements to support their members, citizens and beneficiaries living in urban, rural and northern areas.

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