The URN project aims to co-develop a comprehensive housing strategy with Indigenous partners that addresses housing needs in urban, rural, and northern communities. We want to ensure that the strategy reflects Indigenous perspectives, improves housing quality, increases supply, and enhances affordability while advancing self-determination and reconciliation.

Your participation is crucial because the URN project aims to develop a housing strategy that truly reflects the needs and priorities of First Nations communities. We need your input to create solutions that are tailored to your specific housing challenges, ensuring that future housing policies and funding align with your needs and aspirations.

The feedback gathered from workshops, focus groups, and interviews will directly inform the development of the Strategic Workplan, which will detail funding allocations and governance structures for housing initiatives. Your community’s input will help shape the direction of this project, ensuring it aligns with your priorities and goals.

Throughout the project, we will work closely with community leaders, elders, and other members to ensure that your voices are heard. We'll hold in-person workshops, virtual meetings, and focus groups, and we’ll continuously check back to validate that the work being done aligns with your needs. Additionally, the engagement process includes a final report that outlines your community’s specific feedback and recommendations.

The project is designed to explore a range of solutions that address the specific needs of your community, from improving housing quality to increasing supply and making housing more affordable. We are particularly focused on developing culturally relevant solutions, which means we’ll work with you to ensure that the housing options we consider are appropriate for your lifestyle, culture, and environment.

The URN project places a strong emphasis on self-determination by ensuring that Indigenous communities play a leading role in shaping the housing strategy. This means that you will have a direct say in the governance structures, funding priorities, and the types of housing that are developed. Our goal is to support your community in taking control of housing decisions, so that they reflect your values and goals.

Federal and provincial partners, like Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, will provide support in strategic planning and funding governance. Their role will be to ensure that the initiatives align with broader policy frameworks and that funding is allocated effectively. However, the primary decision-making and direction will be led by the Indigenous communities involved.

The project is designed to address the unique needs of diverse vulnerable populations by organizing targeted workshops and focus groups. These sessions will ensure that the housing strategy is inclusive and reflects the needs of women, children, elders, single-parent families, and LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. Our goal is to develop solutions that are accessible, safe, and appropriate for all members of the community, fostering equity and inclusivity in housing options.

The project will start on December 1, 2024, and end on March 31, 2025, with engagement activities taking place between February and March. The final report and results will be shared in April 2025. However, community feedback and priorities will be incorporated into the planning throughout the engagement phase, so you will see ongoing progress and updates.

Throughout the engagement process, we will work with community leaders, elders, and community members to ensure that all housing solutions are culturally appropriate and respect traditional knowledge and ways of life. The development of the housing strategy will include an in-depth consultation process to ensure that the final plan aligns with cultural values and practices.

After the project concludes, the strategic workplan and recommendations will help guide future housing projects in your community. The goal is to create a roadmap for the next several years of housing initiatives. Additionally, ongoing collaboration and communication will be key to ensuring that the project’s outcomes are implemented effectively and that funding continues to be aligned with community priorities.

The project includes a transparent process for funding allocation, with regular updates and checkpoints. We’ll involve community members and leaders in the decision making process to ensure that the allocation of funds aligns with your specific needs and priorities. Additionally, the final report will include clear recommendations on funding and governance structures.

FNHIC will be researching all aspects associated with community needs and working with Sister Societies to create strategies to fill in the gaps between our housing needs and issues.

FNHIC will certainly be willing to research these needs in your community and work with associated service providers to access funding and support.

The project includes a small travel budge however we will be doing Zoom meetings and engagements over the next couple months.