RECONCILIATION: MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER - SUPPORTING RECONCILIATION
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“BC Housing needs to give up the paternal position of thinking [they know] what is best for us. – Housing Provider BC HOUSING STAFF 7.3.2.1 Indigenous Housing Issues and Needs
Why This Is Important Article 21 covers the rights of Indigenous peoples with respect to economic and social wellbeing. It states that Indigenous peoples have the right to improve their economic and social wellbeing and that governments must take action to support them in that endeavor (UNDRIP). These priorities reflect significant issues and needs. All these items are reflective of key concepts for reconciliation - Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations have control over the amount and type of housing development and whether this housing addresses community needs. Improving housing conditions represents the ultimate goal in successful housing development.
With respect to Indigenous housing issues and needs, the top priorities noted by staff were increasing the housing supply, diversifying the housing stock, improving housing conditions, and centering Indigenous cultural and community needs in housing designs. Staff generally agreed that there is a significant need to increase the supply of Indigenous housing. Several people suggested that new housing units on-reserve are needed. They shared that there are off-reserve community members wanting to move home but are unable to because of a major shortage of housing. Four staff emphasized the need for affordable housing off-reserve. A couple of staff indicated that this is a key issue because Indigenous peoples are at a disadvantage due to discrimination in the housing sector and lingering impacts of colonization.
“One of the things we don’t talk about is discrimination in the housing sector, how communities are being discriminated against and the up-stream impacts of how people are encountering their housing needs. Exclusion from economic empowerment means that people need affordable housing. – BC Housing Staff We also heard about the need to diversify housing stock, improve the quality of housing and incorporate Indigenous cultural needs into housing designs. Suggestions identified by staff
within these categories are summarized in below. Table 14: Top Priorities within Indigenous Housing Diversify the Housing Stock:
Improve the Quality of Housing:
Incorporate Indigenous Needs into Housing Design: • Cultural safety and sensitivity need to be taken into consideration when creating programs and building housing that support the Indigenous population.
• While there is a need for housing across the spectrum, staff pointed out that housing for Indigenous families, women, individuals, youth and Elders is especially needed.
• Current housing needs to be brought up to a livable standard. • There are unique challenges to developing housing on reserve, including access to safe water and remoteness.
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