2023-2024 Horizontal Initiative - Support for Indigenous Housing

General information
Shared outcome
Performance information

General information

Name of horizontal initiative: Support for Indigenous Housing (SIH)

Lead department: Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)

Federal partner department: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)

Start date of the horizontal initiative: 2022–2023

End date of the horizontal initiative: 2028–2029

Description of the horizontal initiative:

Access to safe, adequate, and culturally appropriate housing is essential to the health and well-being of all Canadians. Canada has recognized the right to adequate housing as a fundamental human right affirmed in international law, as stated in s.4(a) of the National Housing Strategy Act, S.C. 2019, c. 29, s. 313. However, Indigenous Peoples in Canada are experiencing a well-known and long-lasting housing shortage. Aging and inadequate housing, and the absence of critical infrastructure in Indigenous communities, especially in northern Indigenous communities, has had ongoing negative consequences for social, health, and economic outcomes. Investing in housing improves quality of life, narrows socio-economic gaps and increases Indigenous Peoples' participation in the economy.

Departments reporting under this horizontal initiative will report annually, through the horizontal initiative section of the supplementary tables included in ISC's Departmental Plan (DP) and Departmental Results Report (DRR), where results and financial information (planned and actuals) will be provided, as well as within the main body of their respective DPs and DRRs.

ISC will lead horizontal work to report on results achieved under the Support for Indigenous Housing horizontal initiative for the first 5 years (2022–2023 to 2026–2027). After this time, should ISC no longer have funding that is subject to this initiative, responsibility for reporting on remaining years of investments (2027–2028 and 2028–2029) will shift to another partner department to maintain integrity of the overall initiative.

Governance structures:

Central to the governance structure of the horizontal housing initiative is the senior-level Oversight Committee which will be comprised of Assistant Deputy Ministers from ISC and CIRNAC. The Oversight Committee is responsible for the overall governance and coordination of the horizontal housing initiative, including ensuring that reporting is timely and accurate. The Oversight Committee will be supported by a Director General Steering Committee (DGSC) that addresses operational, implementation or technical issues identified by the working group. A horizontal working group composed of officials from ISC and CIRNAC will convene regularly to discuss the advancement of the initiative, ensure general alignment of approaches, highlight any challenges that arise, and propose solutions for the consideration of the DGSC. Terms of Reference for each level of the governance structure outline the composition and respective roles of each group.

Total federal funding allocated (from start to end date) (dollars): $4,000,806,772

Total federal planned spending to date (dollars): $1,064,918,107

Total federal actual spending to date (dollars): $1,130,405,889^{Footnote 1}

Date of last renewal of the horizontal initiative: Not applicable

Total federal funding allocated at last renewal, and source of funding (dollars): Not applicable

Additional federal funding received after the last renewal (dollars): Not applicable

Total planned spending since the last renewal: Not applicable

Total actual spending since the last renewal: Not applicable

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: Not applicable

Performance highlights:

Indigenous Services Canada

Budget 2022 investments in First Nations on-reserve housing demonstrate the Government of Canada's commitment to addressing housing needs.

As of March 31, 2024, Budget 2022 funding has supported ongoing and completed housing projects across the country, including:

63 new units constructed, with an additional 1041 underway;
189 units renovated, with an additional 2138 underway;
48 housing lots serviced, with an additional 1309 underway;
752 capacity development and innovation projects supported.

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Self-Governing and Modern Treaty First Nations

Budget 2022 invested $565 million over five years, of which $560.8 million is being delivered to 24 Modern Treaty and Self-Governing Indigenous Governments for First Nation-led self-determined housing investments. The first year of this funding was received by Modern Treaty and Self-Governing Indigenous Governments late in 2022–2023 and will subsequently be provided at the beginning of each fiscal year following. Partners have been investing the funds towards identified housing needs within their communities. These may include building or maintaining homes, community buildings, and rental housing.

Budget 2022 invested $845.1 million over seven years, of which $843.7 million is being delivered to the four Inuit Treaty Organizations in the Inuvialuit, Nunavik, Nunavut, and Nunatsiavut regions for Inuit-led and self-determined housing programming. The first year of this funding was received by Inuit partners late in 2022–2023. It takes significant time to manage and deliver large scale construction projects in Inuit Nunangat due to supply chain issues, sea-lift schedules, and availability of labour. As such, information on the number of units built to date is an estimate based on both actual results and partner projections. Previous budget investments in 2018 for distinctions-based Inuit housing are also difficult to separate from the Budget 2022 investments. In addition to new construction and repairs/renovations, investments are also directed towards land development, demolition of derelict buildings, and other housing related initiatives such as residential home heating programs.

Métis partners

Budget 2022 invested $153.6 million over seven years for accelerating Métis housing. The first year of this funding was received by Métis partners late in 2022–2023. This funding is complementary to the efforts made through the Métis Nation Housing Strategy. Métis Housing Strategy results for 2023–2024 are not yet received. They are expected to be reported in September 2024. Cumulative results reflecting the period from 2018–2019 through 2022–2023 include:

1,575 new housing units constructed or purchased
1,537 families provided with downpayment assistance
4,600 housing units renovated
9,528 families who received rent subsidies

Contact information:

Indigenous Services Canada

Rory O'Connor
Director General, Regional Infrastructure Delivery Branch
Telephone: 902-402-6002
Email address: rory.oconnor@sac-isc.gc.ca

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Kate Ledgerwood
Director General, Reconciliation Secretariat
Telephone: 613-922-8591
Email address: kate.ledgerwood@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

Dionne Savill
Director General, Implementation Branch
Telephone: 867-334-8563
Email address: dionne.savill@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

Tooneejoulee Kootoo-Chiarello
Director General, Northern Governance Branch
Telephone: 343-553-7940
Email address: tooneejoulee.kootoo-chiarello@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

Shared outcome

The Government of Canada is committed to enhancing support for Indigenous, distinctions-based housing delivery to accelerate progress and enhance self-determination. With that in mind, the support for Indigenous Housing horizontal initiative reflects two overarching objectives:

Address Housing Infrastructure Gaps: Direct investments will help address communities' self-determined housing needs, including construction of new homes, purchase of existing homes, renovation or repair of existing homes, lot servicing and subdivision development.
Governance and Institutional Capacity to Support Indigenous Housing Improvements: Investments in community capacity are essential to lasting change, to plan for new housing development and community growth, manage existing and new homes, and plan for replacement at the end of their lifespan.

Name of the theme	Theme A: Housing Infrastructure	Theme B: Governance and Institutional Capacity to support Indigenous Housing Improvements	Internal Services
Theme outcomes	Availability of housing for Indigenous Peoples is improved	Indigenous communities advance their capacity to govern housing programs and services	Not applicable
Indigenous Services Canada	$2,139,846,760^{Table note 1}	$235,157,900^{Table note 1}	$25,495,340
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada	$975,509,543^{Table note 2}	$622,946,277^{Table note 3}	$1,850,954
Table note 1 This includes 5-year funding from 2022–2023 to 2026–2027. Return to table note 1 referrer Table note 2 This includes 7-year funding from 2022–2023 to 2028–2029. Return to table note 2 referrer Table note 3 This includes $564.47 million in 5-year funding from 2022–2023 to 2026–2027 and $58.47 million in 7-year funding from 2022–2023 to 2028–2029. Return to table note 3 referrer

Performance information

Horizontal initiative overview

Name of horizontal initiative: Support for Indigenous Housing

Total federal funding allocated since the last renewal^{Footnote 2}: $4,000,806,772

2023–2024 Planned spending: $426,668,924

2023–2024 Actual spending: $492,905,477

Horizontal initiative shared outcomes	2023-2024 Performance indicators	2023-2024 Targets	Date to achieve target	2023–2024 actual results
Improved housing for Indigenous Peoples	Percentage of First Nation housing on reserve that is adequate, as assessed and reported by First Nations	75%	March 31, 2025	Not available^{Table note 1}
Improved housing for Indigenous Peoples	Core housing need^{Table note 2} for Indigenous Peoples	9%^{Table note 3}	March 31, 2031	The data will be available with Census 2026.
The housing need gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples is reduced	Percentage of difference in core housing need^{Table note 2} between Indigenous and non-Indigenous households	4%^{Table note 3}	March 31, 2031	The data will be available with Census 2026.
Table note 1 Results are based on data from the Community Infrastructure and Housing Annual Report which is published outside of the reporting cycle for the Departmental Results Report. Due to this, results from the previous year are reported in the next report. The 2023-24 result will be based on finalized data in the late 2024-25. The 2022-23 result was previously not available and has since been determined as 74.1%. Return to table note 1 referrer Table note 2 As defined by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), a household is in core housing need if its housing does not meet one or more of the adequacy, suitability or affordability standards and it would have to spend 30% or more of its before-tax income to pay the median rent (including utility costs) of alternative local market housing that meets all three standards. Acceptable housing: Housing that is adequate in condition, suitable in size, and affordable. Adequate Housing: Does not require any major repairs, according to residents. Major repairs include those to defective plumbing or electrical wiring, or structural repairs to walls, floors or ceilings. Suitable: Suitable housing has enough bedrooms for the size and make-up of resident households, according to guidelines outlined in National Occupancy Standard (NOS). For example, enough bedrooms based on NOS means one bedroom for each cohabiting adult couple, one for unattached household member 18 years of age and over and one for each same-sex pair of children under age 18. A household of one individual can occupy a bachelor unit (i.e. a unit with no bedroom). Return to table note 2 referrer Table note 3 These targets are notional estimates based on an analysis of past data, the funding being invested as part of this horizontal initiative, and the anticipated continued impacts of housing funding invested since 2016. Past Census data reports Core Housing Need for Indigenous identity for all of Canada as follows: 2011 (21.0%); 2016 (19.8%); 2021 (13.2%). Census data for % of difference in Core Housing Need between Indigenous identity and non-Indigenous identity for all of Canada reports: 2011 (10.7%); 2016 (9.5%); 2021 (5.8%). Note: As is generally the case for ultimate outcomes, these results cannot be solely attributed to the activities included in this horizontal initiative. While these activities are expected to contribute to the achievement of these outcomes, multiple external factors such as environmental conditions and unforeseen events (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic) can influence the rate at which the anticipated progress is achieved. Return to table note 3 referrer

Theme horizontal initiative activities

Theme A details

Name of theme: Housing Infrastructure

Total federal theme funding allocated since the last renewal^{Footnote 2}: $3,141,717,622

2023–2024 Federal theme planned spending: $299,365,523

2023–2024 Federal theme actual spending: $371,990,389

Theme outcome	Theme performance indicators	Theme targets	Date to achieve theme target	2023-2024 Actual results
Availability of housing for Indigenous Peoples is improved	Percentage of First Nation households on reserve living in a dwelling that contains more than one person per room (measure of overcrowding)	10.7%^{Table note 1}	March 31, 2026	The data will be available with Census 2026.
	Percentage of Inuit housing construction needs that were addressed	To be established by January 2025, following completion of Inuit needs assessments	March 31, 2029	Results will be available following completion of needs assessments in January 2025
	Percentage of Inuit housing repair/renovation needs that were addressed	To be established by January 2025, following completion of Inuit needs assessments	March 31, 2029	Results will be available following completion of needs assessments in January 2025
	Percentage of Métis housing construction/purchase needs that were addressed	67%	March 31, 2024	Data not yet available. Data expected from partners in Fall 2024.
	Percentage of Métis housing repair/renovation needs that were addressed	41%	March 31, 2024	Data not yet available. Data expected from partners in Fall 2024.
Table note 1 Baseline: 12.7% as of 2016 Census Return to table note 1 referrer

Theme A horizontal initiative activities

Indigenous Services Canada

Link to the department's program inventory: Community Infrastructure

Horizontal initiative (HI) activities: Infrastructure investments to support housing on reserves

Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity since the last renewal^{Footnote 2}: $2,165,342,100

2023–2024 Planned spending for each horizontal activity: $246,916,800

2023–2024 Actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity: $319,541,666^{Footnote 1}

2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity expected result	2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity performance indicators	2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity targets	Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target	2023-2024 actual results
First Nation communities have suitable and adequate housing	Number of First Nation housing units on reserve built or acquired as a result of housing funding	5,100 new units built or acquired	March 31, 2027	63 new units built or acquired^{Table note 1}
	Number of First Nation housing units on reserve renovated as a result of housing funding	3,800 units renovated	March 31, 2027	189 units renovated^{Table note 2}
	Number of housing lots serviced as a result of housing funding	2,100 lots serviced	March 31, 2027	48 lots serviced^{Table note 3}
	Number of extensions to existing subdivisions as a result of housing funding	8 extensions to existing subdivisions	March 31, 2025	0^{Table note 4}
	Number of new housing subdivisions as a result of housing funding	4 new subdivisions	March 31, 2025	0
Table note 1 As of March 31, 2024, 1041 new units are underway. Return to table note 1 referrer Table note 2 As of March 31, 2024, 2138 renovations to units are underway. Return to table note 2 referrer Table note 3 As of March 31, 2024, 1309 lot servicing for houses are underway. Return to table note 3 referrer Table note 4 As of March 31, 2024, 7 subdivision projects are underway, with 1 feasibility/design project being complete. Return to table note 4 referrer

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Indigenous-Led Services

Horizontal initiative (HI) activities: Housing infrastructure investments for Inuit Treaty Organizations

Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity since the last renewal^{Footnote 2}: $845,100,000

2023–2024 Planned spending for each horizontal activity: $46,100,000

2023–2024 Actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity: $46,100,000

2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity expected result	2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity performance indicators	2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity targets	Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target	2023-2024 actual results
Inuit communities have suitable and adequate housing	Number of Inuit housing units constructed	40	March 31, 2024	48
Inuit communities have suitable and adequate housing	Number of Inuit housing units repaired/renovated	25	March 31, 2024	35

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Indigenous-Led Services

Horizontal initiative (HI) activities: Housing infrastructure investments for Métis Nation, Manitoba Métis Federation and Métis Settlements

Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity since the last renewal^{Footnote 2}: $131,275,524

2023–2024 Planned spending for each horizontal activity: $6,348,723

2023–2024 Actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity: $6,348,723

2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity expected result	2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity performance indicators	2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity targets	Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target	2023-2024 actual results
Métis communities have suitable and adequate housing	Number of Métis housing units constructed/purchased	130	March 31, 2024	Data not yet available. Data expected from partners in Fall 2024.
Métis communities have suitable and adequate housing	Number of Métis housing units repaired/renovated	500	March 31, 2024	Data not yet available. Data expected from partners in Fall 2024.

Theme B details

Name of theme: Governance and Institutional Capacity to support Indigenous Housing Improvements

Total federal theme funding allocated since the last renewal^{Footnote 2}: $859,089,150

2023–2024 Federal theme planned spending: $127,303,401

2023–2024 Federal theme actual spending: $120,915,088

Theme outcome	Theme performance indicators	Theme targets	Date to achieve theme target	2023–2024 actual results
Indigenous communities advance their capacity to govern housing programs and services	Percentage of First Nations that employ at least one dedicated position focused on housing management responsibilities.	To be determined by April 2025 (upon receipt of baseline data)	To be determined (once baseline is established)	The data for 2023–2024 will be available April 2025.
	Percentage of Métis partners that have a housing program control framework (e.g., eligibility and decision-making criteria) for their programs	100%	March 31, 2024	100%
	Percentage of Modern Treaty and Self-Government agreement partners that have provided final reports on their Action Plans	100%	December 31, 2027	Not applicable. No reporting requirement for 2023-2024.
	Percentage of Métis organizations in the Northwest Territories that are providing housing programs to their membership	100%	March 31, 2030	Not applicable. No reporting requirement for 2023-2024.

Theme B horizontal initiative activities

Indigenous Services Canada

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Community Infrastructure

Horizontal initiative (HI) activities: Investments in First Nations capacity to govern, manage and deliver housing programs and services

Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity since the last renewal^{Footnote 2}: $235,157,900

2023–2024 Planned spending for each horizontal activity: $33,083,200

2023–2024 Actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity: $26,694,887

2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity expected result	2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity performance indicators	2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity targets	Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target	2023-2024 actual results
First Nations implement projects to enhance their capacity to manage and maintain their housing	Number of capacity and innovation projects supported as a result of this funding	332	March 31, 2024	752^{Table note 1}
First Nations have improved access to financing for housing projects	Number of Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFI) participating in a national network	6 new participating IFIs	March 31, 2027	0^{Table note 2}
	Value of loans without Ministerial Load Guarantees (MLGs) or local government guarantees	$32,215	March 31, 2027	0^{Table note 2}
Table note 1 Includes 69 completed and 683 ongoing projects as of March 31, 2024 . Return to table note 1 referrer Table note 2 These indicators relate to the financial innovation initiative. The Financial Innovation element will support the establishment of a network of Indigenous housing financial institutions to guide and support First Nations communities and members in building financial capacity and borrowing readiness. Return to table note 2 referrer

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Management and Implementation of Agreements and Treaties

Horizontal initiative (HI) activities: Investments in SGMT programs and services

Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity since the last renewal^{Footnote 2}: $565,000,000

2023–2024 Planned spending for each horizontal activity: $90,000,000

2023–2024 Actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity: $90,000,000

2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity expected result	2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity performance indicators	2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity targets	Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target	2023-2024 actual results
Indigenous Peoples manage and control their desired programs and services	Percentage of Self-Government and Modern Treaty First Nations that have submitted Action Plans to access initiative	100%	March 31, 2024	100%

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Indigenous-Led Services

Horizontal initiative (HI) activities: IHousing governance capacity for Métis Nation, Manitoba Métis Federation, and Métis Settlements

Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity since the last renewal^{Footnote 2}: $23,166,269

2023–2024 Planned spending for each horizontal activity: $1,120,363

2023–2024 Actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity: $1,120,363

2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity expected result	2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity performance indicators	2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity targets	Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target	2023-2024 actual results
Métis partners have increased knowledge of their citizens' housing needs	Percentage of housing needs assessments completed by Métis partners	100%	March 31, 2024	100%^{Table note 1}
Table note 1 All Métis partners under the Métis Nation Housing Strategy have completed housing needs assessments. Return to table note 1 referrer

Link to the department's Program Inventory: Northern and Arctic Governance and Partnerships Program

Horizontal initiative (HI) activities: Investments in Métis communities in the Northwest Territories to address housing and infrastructure needs

Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity since the last renewal^{Footnote 2}: $35,764,981

2023–2024 Planned spending for each horizontal activity: $3,099,838

2023–2024 Actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity: $3,099,838

2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity expected result	2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity performance indicators	2023–2024 Horizontal initiative activity targets	Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target	2023-2024 actual results
Territories, Northerners and Indigenous Peoples have access to federal support	Percentage of Métis organizations in the Northwest Territories that have strategic plans, policies, or programs in place to support analysis or advocacy around their housing needs	100%	March 31, 2024	100%

Total spending, all themes^{Footnote 3}
Theme	Total federal funding, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal^{Table note 2} (dollars)	2023–2024 total federal planned spending	2023–2024 total federal actual spending
Theme A: Housing Infrastructure	$3,141,717,622	$299,365,523	$371,990,389^{Table note 1}
Theme B: Governance and Institutional Capacity to support Indigenous Housing Improvements	$859,089,150	$127,303,401	$120,915,088
Total: All themes	$4,000,806,772	$426,668,924	$492,905,477
Table note 1 ISC exceptionally invested $65 million of additional housing funding in fiscal year 2023-2024 with a focus to address urgent health and safety priorities, for which results are reported as part of Budget 2022. This funding supported the construction or renovation of approximately 314 housing units. Return to table note 1 referrer Table note 2 This amount includes any additional funding received after the last renewal. Return to table note 2 referrer

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Date modified:: 2024-12-17