Media Release: NDP secures major investment in housing for indigenous peoples

OTTAWA — On Wednesday, New Democrats used their power to force the Liberal government to invest in a For-Indigenous/By-Indigenous housing strategy for First Nations, Métis and Inuit living away from their home community.

A few days after Pierre Poilievre’s cut-and-gut Conservatives voted to cut funding for homes for Indigenous peoples, the NDP is delivering critical funding, and a For-Indigenous/By-Indigenous Centre responsible for channelling the funds through both national and regional Indigenous-led housing organizations. Through the Confidence and Supply Agreement, the NDP used their power to secure $8.3 billion in total federal funding to address the urgent, unmet housing needs of Indigenous people living in urban, rural and northern areas. This includes $4 billion dedicated to community distinctions-based funding and $4.3 billion for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people living away from their home community.

December 13th, 2023

NDP secures major investment in housing for Indigenous peoples

OTTAWA — On Wednesday, New Democrats used their power to force the Liberal government to invest in a For-Indigenous/By-Indigenous housing strategy for First Nations, Métis and Inuit living away from their home community.

A few days after Pierre Poilievre’s cut-and-gut Conservatives voted to cut funding for homes for Indigenous peoples, the NDP is delivering critical funding, and a For-Indigenous/By-Indigenous Centre responsible for channelling the funds through both national and regional Indigenous-led housing organizations. Through the Confidence and Supply Agreement, the NDP used their power to secure $8.3 billion in total federal funding to address the urgent, unmet housing needs of Indigenous people living in urban, rural and northern areas. This includes $4 billion dedicated to community distinctions-based funding and $4.3 billion for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people living away from their home community.

“Canada is facing a dire housing crisis that disproportionately impacts Indigenous peoples,” said NDP critic for Housing Jenny Kwan (Vancouver East). “While the Liberals promised to implement a For-Indigenous/By-Indigenous housing strategy in their last mandate, they failed to deliver it. The NPD had to step in to secure billions of dollars to build suitable and affordable homes for Indigenous people, finally making good on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples calling for For-Indigenous/By-Indigenous housing initiatives. Unlike Pierre Poilievre who tried to cut that funding just last week, New Democrats are working every day to deliver results for Indigenous people.”

More than 80 per cent of Indigenous people are living far away from their home community in urban, rural and northern communities. They are 11 times more likely to experience homelessness, while 1 in 5 are living in a home that is neither suitable nor affordable. The For-Indigenous/By-Indigenous strategy the NDP secured today will provide funding to address these housing needs.

“The NDP has been fighting alongside Indigenous groups for a For-Indigenous/By-Indigenous housing strategy that will ensure more suitable and affordable homes are built for Indigenous people living away from their home community,” said NDP Indigenous Services critic Lori Idlout. “First Nations, Métis and Inuit deserve to live in dignity, wherever they are in the country. For far too long, their need for adequate and affordable housing has been neglected by the Liberals and the Conservatives. The NDP used their power to deliver results and help Indigenous peoples have a roof over their heads.”

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