Extensive Expertise
NICHI’s governance, management and operational structures utilize the strengths that Indigenous service organizations bring to the collaboration. It will roll out a national Urban, Rural, Northern (URN) Indigenous Housing Strategy, convene Indigenous-led housing providers, and fill a gap as a national coordinating mechanism.
With funding now in place, NICHI will establish a mobilization process that prioritizes those most in need, with housing projects underway in need of support, or almost ready to launch. Selection will be done by a committee of neutral, non-housing providers. Check back for application details and timing. No one is exempt from applying.
Funding Allocation for Urgent & Unmet Needs
On June 8 2023, the government of Canada announced that it would provide $281.5 million to address the critical need of safe and affordable urban, rural and northern Indigenous housing projects for Indigenous people living away from their traditional 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. Deploying funding through NICHI is part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to moving ahead in the journey towards reconciliation.
In recognition of the need for immediate action, NICHI will deliver this funding through a proposal process for Indigenous-led, non-profit projects that address urgent and unmet housing needs of Indigenous Peoples in urban, rural and northern communities. Please return to this website for updates.
Housing – a Human Right
NICHI prioritizes housing as a human right and is unified by its goal to achieve a National URN Indigenous Housing Strategy that is fully Indigenous-led. In response to the lack of specific and sufficient federal housing support for the 80+ per cent of Indigenous households living in urban, rural and northern areas without the support of their Nations or cultural community, NICHI advocates for holistic, serviced-based community housing that empowers Indigenous communities.
UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)
Indigenous peoples “have the right, without discrimination, to improve their economic and social conditions, including housing (UNDRIP Article 21); the right to housing and other economic and social programmes affecting them, and administer such programmes through their own institutions (UNDRIP Article 23), and; to maintain and strengthen their distinct social and cultural institutions (UNDRIP Article 5).”
NICHI’s Principles
In advancing this work, we agree to abide by the following principles:
Respect
Respect for each other and upholding self-determination and Indigenous sovereignty. The
signatories are autonomous Indigenous organizations that form a coalition to achieve the
housing purposes of the coalition;
Support
Through the development of culturally-appropriate housing and services, we support the retention and revitalization of our diverse cultures through our respective cultures and
traditions, ways of knowing and being, and respect for the land;
Equity
To be respectful of each other and of all life; and to ensure that housing is provided to all URN Indigenous peoples on an equitable and as needed basis, in an Indigenous holistic manner.
Here for your community
If your community is in need of housing support or services, NICHI is ready to collaborate. Contact: Jeff Loucks, Interim CEO Jeff@nichihousing.com
National Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Coalition Declaration Signatories
Declaration Signatories
Join the Coalition
For Indigenous housing organizations
Wider sector support for the National Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Coalition
Wider Sector Support
Support the Coalition
For non-Indigenous supporters
Investments in affordable housing must include funding for culturally relevant community resources, health services, and education to break the systemic cycle of housing insecurity that has left so many Indigenous families behind