Indigenous Housing Partnership

The Indigenous Housing Partnership is an equitable partnership rooted in respect for Indigenous culture, helping deliver housing solutions by Indigenous communities for Indigenous communities.

Indigenous families and communities partner with local Habitats across Canada to help create safe and decent places to live – through both affordable homeownership and other housing solutions. An important part of this initiative is providing skills and training opportunities to young Indigenous men and women to equip them with the trade skills they need to maintain and/or build new homes in their communities.

While a lack of decent and affordable housing in Canada is an issue that affects many communities, the problems are disproportionately acute when it comes to Indigenous communities and families. Overcrowding, dilapidated housing and a lack of affordability are just some of the issues many Canadian Indigenous families face, especially those living on within Indigenous communities. One in five Indigenous peoples lived in a dwelling that was in need of major repairs in 2016.

With the help of Indigenous communities and corporate partners, local Habitats across Canada have helped 305 Indigenous families access affordable homeownership both in urban communities and within Indigenous communities since this initiative first began in 2007.

• The 2021 Census counted 1.8 million Indigenous people, now accounting for 5.0% of the total population in Canada, up from 4.9% in 2016.
• In 2021, 16.4% of Indigenous people lived in a dwelling that was in need of major repairs.
• The Indigenous population living in large urban centres - 801,045 people - has grown by 12.5% from 2016 to 2021.
• Indigenous people were more likely than the non-Indigenous population to be living in a dwelling that was in need of major repairs (16.4% versus 5.7%) or live in crowded housing (17.1% versus 9.4%) in 2021.