SASKATOON, TREATY 6 TERRITORY AND
TRADITIONAL MÉTIS HOMELAND, SK, Aug. 2, 2024
/CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern
Affairs and Minister responsible for PrairiesCan and
CanNor, 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 Saskatchewan.
Today's announcement includes almost $34
million in funding for 8 organizations in Saskatchewan totalling 1107 units led by:
- SaskNative Rental Inc., Saskatoon
- Wapi Kihew Attention to Creative Solutions Inc., Saskatoon
- Central Urban Metis Federation, Saskatoon
- All Nations Hope Network, Regina
- Piwapan Women's Centre, LaRonge
- Prince Albert Indian Métis Friendship Centre Corporation
(PAIMFC), Prince Albert
- Montreal Lake Cree Nation Urban Services, Prince Albert
- Buffalo Narrows Friendship Centre, Buffalo Narrows
Through the national process, $280.4
million out of a total funding amount of $281.5 million is being distributed to 73
projects across the country aimed at building approximately 3781
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.
Quotes
"The rapid allocation and disbursement of $281.5 million in funds to our 73 projects,
including SaskNative Rentals, completed within an unprecedented 11
months, exemplifies our commitment to addressing urgent housing
needs efficiently. As the only National Indigenous Housing
Organization, NICHI ensures that funding reaches those who need it
most quickly and effectively through community-based knowledge and
our members' thousands of years of combined Indigenous housing
experience. SaskNative Rentals, which has been a pillar of support
for Métis and First Nations communities since the 1970s, continues
to set a high standard in providing safe and affordable housing
that includes all Indigenous peoples. The resilience and dedication
demonstrated by SaskNative Rentals over the decades inspire our
mission at NICHI, and we are proud to support their ongoing efforts
to create inclusive, culturally relevant housing solutions for
Indigenous individuals and families."
John Gordon
Chief Executive Officer, National Indigenous Collaborative Housing
Incorporated
"In true partnership with Indigenous Peoples, we are getting
more homes built, faster. I've seen with my own eyes and from
speaking with people directly on the ground the challenges
Indigenous communities face with regards to building more homes.
Hence, these projects follow a By Indigenous, For
Indigenous approach. We will always be there for
communities as they take the lead to build."
The Honourable Dan Vandal
Minister of Northern Affairs, PrairiesCan and CanNor
Quick facts
- On June 8, 2023, the Government
of Canada announced that the
National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Inc. (NICHI) would
deliver $281.5 million in immediate
funding over two years to address the urgent, unmet needs of
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 73
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. $1.1 million of the total
funding amount remains to be allocated
- The National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Inc. (NICHI) is
an Indigenous-led national housing organization working to ensure
that all Indigenous people across Canada have access to supports and services
that provide safe, affordable, secure and dignified housing.
- 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.
Associated links
National Indigenous Collaborative Housing
Incorporated (NICHI)
Housing for Indigenous Peoples
Funding for urgent, unmet Indigenous housing projects in urban,
rural and northern areas to be distributed through the National
Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated
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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada