Calgary launches first ever Indigenous-led housing program

Under the principle “For Indigenous, By Indigenous,” the City of Calgary launched a new housing program on Tuesday that will produce hundreds of non-market homes for those in housing need.

The Maa’too’maa’taapii Aoko’iyii’piaya program, meaning “Indigenous First Nation Housing” in Blackfoot, is receiving a $30 million investment from the city to support Indigenous-led non-market housing.

Between 150 and 350 new housing units are estimated to be built.

The housing initiative is a first for Calgary. It’s grounded in a “For Indigenous, By Indigenous” principle meant to address “deep-rooted systemic barriers Indigenous communities face in accessing housing, land, and capital.”

“Through this program, the City is taking practical, resourced action, placing trust, funding, and decision-making power into the hands of Indigenous communities themselves,” Mayor Jyoti Gondek said.

Chief housing officer Reid Hendry says the goal isn’t to increase non-market housing supply, but to support housing that is made by and for Indigenous People, “ultimately redefining what housing can look like when it is rooted in Indigenous knowledge, values, and self-determination.”

Indigenous people make up three per cent of Calgary’s population, yet over 41 per cent of that number experience homelessness, according to the city.

It says more than 3,800 Indigenous households struggle to afford their housing, and over 70 per cent of those households have incomes of less than $20,000 a year, and require rent below $500 per month to be considered affordable.

Additionally, many Indigenous people face discrimination from landlords and are often excluded from culturally safe housing options.

The city says the $30 million will be used two-fold: $150,000 will be granted over two years to eligible organizations to be used for engagement and planning activities, and a contribution of up to 40 per cent of eligible capital costs will be used for building and funding.

The program was developed with the Housing Solutions Elders Advisory Committee in alignment with its housing strategy and affordable housing for Indigenous Calgarians plan.