RECONCILIATION: MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER - SUPPORTING RECONCILIATION
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7.3.1.2 Areas for Improvement Several themes that emerged with respect to how BC Housing can better support Indigenous housing needs included supporting Indigenous ownership, streamlining the housing development process, taking a holistic approach to housing, adapting the design standards to suit Indigenous cultural needs and building the capacity of Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations to plan for or manage their own housing. Supporting Indigenous Ownership Several people commented that BC Housing’s role as a Crown Corporation in the Indigenous housing sector undermines the jurisdiction of Indigenous Nations and communities. Respondents recommended that BC Housing relinquish control and find ways to advance Indigenous rights, title and jurisdiction. This might take the form of promoting equity through Indigenous home ownership and ownership over land and assets. Approximately a quarter of the respondents mentioned that BC Housing should be supporting Indigenous ownership within the housing model, including providing
Why This Is Important These comments identify a continuum of improvements from capacity building, implementing Indigenous home ownership, and the direct management of housing. Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations have expressed the need for more control over housing for their communities, clients, and citizens. This means that a flexible approach to improving housing outcomes for and with Indigenous people may be the ideal approach.
Indigenous renters the ability to transition into becoming homeowners and finding ways to transfer land and assets to the Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations. This might entail working with government agencies such as Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) to provide options for Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations to purchase off-reserve land or compensating Indigenous Nations and communities for lands that were lost due to colonial policies and practices.
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