Facilitate access to financing. Support the construction, renovation or decontamination of housing. Offer loans dedicated to real estate development. Promote access to individual property ownership. Create partnerships to share services and infrastructure. Facilitate access to insurance products.
These are excellent examples of commitments that your organization can make, whether you are a business, a municipality or a political body!
The objective? Contribute to improving living and housing conditions in Indigenous communities in Quebec. This is quite a challenge considering the extent of the housing needs of First Nations.
To give you an idea of the issues
The strong growth of the Indigenous population is generating ever increasing housing needs, which leads to problems such as homelessness and overcrowding.
- In 2012, the AFNQL noted a need to build 9,400 housing units and renovate 5,000 housing units (AFNQL, 2014).
- Indigenous property cannot be seized on reserve according to the Indian Act. This complicates obtaining loans from financial institutions for First Nations entrepreneurs since their property cannot be used as collateral.
- Certain types of insurance, such as surety bonds, require guarantees. This complicates First Nations’ access to this insurance, which is essential for bidding on and carrying out major construction projects.
5 ways to make a commitment – Housing issues
Here are 5 ways to support economic reconciliation with the support of the Grand Economic Circle of Indigenous Peoples and Quebec movement.
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Finance the renovation of an apartment building 🏠
Improve living conditions! Financing the renovation of existing housing helps reduce overcrowding issues, in addition to reducing health risks related to mould, humidity and contamination.
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Contribute to Indigenous construction projects 🚧
Form partnerships with Indigenous construction professionals! This is the best way to ensure that projects meet the needs of communities, in addition to creating local jobs. Here is a directory of First Nations contractors.
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Implement an inclusive financing program 📁
Improve access to credit and insurance products for contractors and First Nations people who live in the communities by compensating for the constraints imposed by the Indian Act regarding the exemption of real and personal property from seizure.
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Offer training in building trades 💡
Offer training programs in fields such as plumbing, electricity, roofing or metallurgy! Such commitments strengthen the skills of Indigenous workers.
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Tenir une soirée réseautage sur le thème du logement 🤝
Start a discussion! An event bringing together non-Indigenous and Indigenous professionals to address housing issues can give rise to new ideas: collaborations, awareness, commitments, and more.
They committed to housing!
In 2023, the City of Gatineau and Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg joined forces to address housing issues. This commitment, which is still ongoing, aims to initiate discussions on social housing.
The City of Montreal, as part of its Strategy for Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, is implementing one of its commitments made in 2023, namely through an urban planning action plan.
To join the movement in three steps, click here!
To learn more about the possible types of commitment, click here!
