Ensure that the supply of affordable housing meets the needs of Indigenous people living in Calgary

Recommendation 3 speaks to ensuring that the supply of affordable housing meets the needs of Equity Deserving and Indigenous people living in Calgary. Indigenous people living in Calgary, and equity-deserving communities are over-represented when it comes to homelessness and the need for subsidized housing. Housing need can be different for different populations. While it is critical to increase the supply of affordable housing, it is equally as important to make sure that the housing created meets the needs of different populations. This recommendation will ensure that specific actions are taken to diversify the supply of affordable housing and give people better options over where they live.

Have your say

Public submissions and presentations will be accepted at the Committee meeting on Sep 14, 2023. To learn more about how you can share your thoughts on these recommendations please visit: https://www.calgary.ca/council/meetings/public-hearing.html

Action items

Action A - Increase the amount of land provided to Indigenous housing providers

What is the action?	What would this mean if it was approved? Why was this recommendation made?	How would this affect Calgary?
In line with provider capacity, increase the amount of land provided to Indigenous housing providers through the Non-Market Housing Land Disposition Policy.	More land would be sold to Indigenous housing providers to create non-market housing for Indigenous people. Indigenous communities spoke about how culturally appropriate land is crucial to the development of housing led by Indigenous people, for Indigenous people.	Addressing the needs of Indigenous people living in Calgary and Equity Deserving Groups through appropriate housing and supporting existing programs.

Next steps

The City would work with partners to achieve the recommendation.

Action B - Provide land to Indigenous housing providers

What is the action?	What would this mean if it was approved? Why was this recommendation made?	How would this affect Calgary?
Utilize the Housing Land Fund to provide land to Indigenous housing providers at nominal value.	Land would be provided at nominal (for example, $10), to Indigenous housing providers to create non-market housing for Indigenous people. Given the barriers that Indigenous providers, and Indigenous people face, this is an equitable approach that aligns with The City’s goals on truth and reconciliation and increases the likelihood of successful developments.	Addressing the needs of Indigenous people living in Calgary and Equity Deserving Groups through appropriate housing and supporting existing programs.

Next steps

This connects to Action 2B. If action 2B was approved, the Housing Land Fund would be used to move this action forward.

Action C - Allocate $10M per year in capital funding to organizations prioritizing specific housing needs

What is the action?	What would this mean if it was approved? Why was this recommendation made?	How would this affect Calgary?
Allocate $10M per year in capital funding to organizations prioritizing specific housing needs to build housing for Indigenous and Equity-Deserving populations.	Funding would be providing to create housing for Indigenous people and Equity-Deserving populations. Indigenous and Equity Deserving groups have identified that further funding to strengthen their programs to provide housing is necessary. For example, this funding could be used for housing that is specifically for new immigrants and refugees, a key issue that Calgary is currently facing.	Addressing the needs of Indigenous people living in Calgary and Equity Deserving Groups through appropriate housing and supporting existing programs.

Next steps

A budget request would be brought forward to City Council for consideration. If approved, the funding would be in place at the beginning of 2024.

Action D - Support the development of an urban Indigenous Community Land Trust

What is the action?	What would this mean if it was approved? Why was this recommendation made?	How would this affect Calgary?
Continue to support the development of an urban Indigenous Community Land Trust through in-kind investment.	The City is currently supporting the Aboriginal Standing Committee on Housing and Homelessness to identify whether an urban Indigenous community land trust could be created. Indigenous communities spoke about how culturally appropriate land is crucial to the development of housing led by Indigenous people, for Indigenous people.	Addressing the needs of Indigenous people living in Calgary and Equity Deserving Groups through appropriate housing and supporting existing programs.

Next steps

The City would continue to support this work.

Action E - Reduce the barriers to housing for Indigenous people and Equity-Deserving populations

What is the action?	What would this mean if it was approved? Why was this recommendation made?	How would this affect Calgary?
Ensure that the Corporate Affordable Housing Strategy refresh has actions to address the housing needs of and reduce the barriers to housing for Indigenous people and Equity-Deserving populations.	The previous strategy – Foundations for Home – Corporate Affordable Housing Strategy did not explicitly mention the housing needs of Indigenous people and Equity-Deserving groups. Diverse populations have different housing needs and it is important for the strategy to reflect that.	Addressing the needs of Indigenous people living in Calgary and Equity Deserving Groups through appropriate housing and supporting existing programs.

Next steps

This action is being embedded as part of the Housing Strategy being brought forward to Council in September.

Recommendations and actions

Recommendation 1

Make it easier to build housing across the city
Recommendation 2

Make more land available to build more housing across the city
Recommendation 3

Ensure that the supply of affordable housing meets the needs of Indigenous people living in Calgary
Recommendation 4

Convene the housing sector to facilitate greater collaboration
Recommendation 5

Increase the investment to support housing providers
Recommendation 6

Ensure more individuals have a safe place to call home