Reaching Home
Applications Open!
We are pleased to announce that Reaching Home funding applications are now available to support First Nations-led efforts to prevent and reduce homelessness.
This funding is available to serve both on-reserve and off-reserve First Nations members and is rooted in community-driven, culturally safe approaches.
Who Can Apply?
First Nations governments or bands, including Tribal Councils that are supporting Indigenous Peoples living on- or off-reserve.
Projects must be directly tied to preventing and reducing homelessness among individuals or families who:
Are currently experiencing homelessness, or
Are at imminent risk of homelessness.
The Reaching Home initiative offers three distinct but complementary funding streams to support First Nations governments in British Columbia in addressing homelessness and housing insecurity within their communities. Each stream is tailored to meet different aspects of housing needs, from infrastructure development to direct support services and strategic planning.
Funding Streams
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Capital Projects
This stream funds First Nations in British Columbia to build, renovate, or acquire land and facilities that help prevent and reduce homelessness among Indigenous peoples.
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Housing Supports
Focused on non-capital initiatives, like rental assistance, housing placement, and wraparound supports to help Indigenous individuals and families secure and maintain stable housing.
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Research and Planning
This stream funds research, planning, and coordination activities that inform and strengthen homelessness prevention strategies.
How to Apply
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Gather basic project information, including your organization details, project description, location, budget, and supporting documents like approvals and plans.
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You can apply through our application portal or by completing the fillable PDF application and submitting it with your supporting documents to:
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Our Program Coordinators will review your submission for completeness and eligibility and contact you if anything is missing. We are here to help if needed!
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Once complete, your application will be scored and then reviewed by the Decision-Making Committee. You’ll be notified of funding decisions, which can always be reviewed if technical assistance is needed and provided to improve the score of the application.
Funding Details
A total maximum amount of $250,000 for all applications
Priority is given to projects that are community-led, culturally safe, and focused on those most in need
Need Help?
If you have questions or need assistance with your application, please contact us:
Email: reaching.home@fnhic.ca
What We Fund
Housing Services
Activities that help people find, secure, and maintain housing:
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Working with individuals/families to identify their housing needs, search for housing, and secure units.
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Providing short-term rental subsidies (usually 3–6 months) to help people quickly exit homelessness
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Mediation between tenants and landlords, education on rights and responsibilities.
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Helping individuals/families secure new housing if a placement ends.
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Short-term help covering housing costs while waiting for longer-term supports.
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Costs to move in, such as deposits, furniture, basic groceries, and insurance.
Prevention and Shelter Diversion
Activities to prevent people from losing their housing or entering shelters:
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Supporting people leaving institutions (hospital, corrections) so they don’t become homeless.
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Negotiating with landlords to prevent evictions.
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Help with managing finances to maintain housing.
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Advocacy or representation to avoid eviction.
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Food, clothing, or repairs needed to prevent eviction.
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Support to relocate to stable housing.
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Covering rent, arrears, or utilities to prevent homelessness.
Client Support Services
Services that improve stability, well-being, and community connection:
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Emergency shelter beds and facilities (laundry, showers).
Food banks, soup kitchens, and drop-in centres.
Life skills programs (cooking, budgeting).
Culturally relevant supports (ceremonies, Elder involvement).
Personal needs (groceries, clothing, hygiene, storage, ID, transit).
Disability supports (mobility aids, glasses).
Technology access (phones, computers).
Transportation to home communities.
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Help accessing health and treatment services.
Harm reduction services (safe supplies, managed alcohol).
Supports to access traditional healing (sweat lodges, medicines).
Professional fees for Elders and traditional healers.
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Income assistance navigation (benefits, pensions).
Employment readiness and support (interview prep, job search).
Education and training access (skills development, program support).
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Recreation and sports activities.
Cultural connection (language classes, traditional food gathering).
Capital Investments
Creating or improving facilities for homelessness services:
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Upgrading shelters, transitional housing, supportive housing, and non-residential facilities (community hubs).
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Building new transitional or supportive housing, shelters (only in Indigenous, Territorial, and Rural/Remote streams), or non-residential facilities.
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Buying buildings or land for eligible facilities.
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Converting existing properties into housing or service spaces.
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Fixing damage caused by clients in housing placements.
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Furniture, appliances, tools, outreach vehicles for operations.
Coordination of Resources and Data Collection
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Developing coordinated access systems.
Mapping services and needs.
Governance and privacy tools (policies, data agreements).
Training and change management for coordinated access.
HIFIS setup or customization.
System improvement projects (best practices, integration).
Point-in-time counts or surveys.
Technical support and equipment for data collection.
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Staff salaries and benefits.
Office costs (rent, supplies, utilities).
Professional services (audit, legal, IT).
Travel for staff and volunteers (per Treasury Board rates).
Cultural competency training.
Hosting meetings and engagement sessions.
Equipment for administration (furniture, computers).
Administration Expenses
What We Do Not Fund
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Emergency Housing funding for individuals/families who already get welfare or rent supplements from another government program.
Level of funding for Emergency Housing funding exceeding the amount provided by government rent supplements.
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Provision/payment for student housing if students are not at imminent risk.
Supports for low-income individuals/families not at imminent risk.
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Purchase of alcoholic beverages.
Employment activities normally delivered by federal/provincial/territorial labour programs.
Job wages for participants in education/training/pre-employment programs.
Salary for a full-time teacher replacing provincial/territorial education.
Tuition fees.
Workplace skills development.
Apprenticeship grants.
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Construction/renovation of housing units funded through the bilateral Housing Partnership Framework.
Repairs to social housing units.
Renovation of social housing units.
Creation of new social housing units.
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Software/hardware purchases that duplicate HIFIS functions.
Administrative costs incurred by the recipient to deliver/manage contribution funds to third parties.
Local research activities other than the specified eligible data collection activities.
Information collection primarily for advocacy, public education, or awareness.
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International travel costs.
Purchase of alcoholic beverages.
Payments to Community Advisory Board members for time attending meetings.
Traffic fines and penalties.
Decision Making Committee
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Janice Abbott
Decision Making Committee Member
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Maura Gowans
Decision Making Committee Member
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Kent Patenaude
Decision Making Committee Member
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John Leidl
Decision Making Committee Member
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Kevin Eaton
Decision Making Committee Member
