Habitat for Humanity Canada introduced a pilot Aboriginal Housing Program in 2007 to help address the housing affordability issues faced by Aboriginal families in Canada. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) is the Lead and Founding National Partner of the program. About the Program
Under this program, Habitat for Humanity affiliates across Canada are implementing pilot programs that will help make the Habitat homeownership model available to more Aboriginal peoples both on- and off-reserve, providing Aboriginal families with healthy, stable and secure home environments.
History of the Program
Introduced in 2007, the Aboriginal Housing Program has been responsible for the building of over 30 homes for Aboriginal families in need.
Where We Have Built
In most cases, housing projects are carried out in partnership with Aboriginal communities across Canada both on- and off-reserve. Thanks to the generous support of CMHC, Habitat for Humanity Canada will continue to build on these partnerships to sustain an expanded Aboriginal Housing Program. To date, homes have been built in Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta.
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Lorelei was the first in her family to graduate from high school, attend university, and be fully employed as a family support worker. Despite these accomplishments, she found herself trapped in a cycle of poverty and unaffordable housing. Lorelei grew up in Fort Rouge, Manitoba, and made her way to university with the sponsorship of her First Nation community. However, as a single young mother, she could not afford housing that was both safe enough and suitable to raise her family. To find a suitable neighbourhood that she could afford required Lorelei to move 11times in the course of a decade, until her sister persuaded her to apply to Habitat for Humanity Winnipeg. To her surprise, her application was approved almost immediately. Thanks to Habitat for Humanity Canada’s Aboriginal Housing Program, Lorelei is now a proud homeowner who has finally found stability and security — and a community among the other Habitat families she met through the building of the homes. She can decorate her house to suit her family’s needs and, more importantly, enjoy the safety and freedom of homeownership. Read more about Loreli and Habitat for Humanity's Aboriginal Housing Program partnership with CMHC. |
As of December 6, 2011, Habitat for Humanity Canada and the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) joined forces to work to improve the housing situation in more First Nations communities like Alderville.
Together, Habitat for Humanity Canada and AFN will collaborate to increase
First Nations’ involvement in Habitat projects and enhance opportunities for
First Nations people to further their knowledge and skills applicable to all
dimensions of housing, while adding to the housing stock.
Read about the signing of this agreement here.
How You Can HelpIf you wish to be involved with this exciting initiative, please contact jthakar@habitat.ca for more information or make a donation to this program.
Lead and Founding National Partner
Aboriginal Housing Program
