2025-26 Horizontal Initiative - Support for Indigenous Housing

Horizontal initiatives

Horizontal initiatives

General information

Name of horizontal initiative: Support for Indigenous Housing (SIH)

Lead department: Indigenous Services Canada (ISC)

Federal partner department: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)

Start date of the horizontal initiative: 2022–2023

End date of the horizontal initiative: 2028–2029

Description of the horizontal initiative:

Access to safe, adequate, and culturally appropriate housing is essential to the health and well-being of all Canadians. Canada has recognized the right to adequate housing as a fundamental human right affirmed in international law, as stated in s. 4(a) of the National Housing Strategy Act, S.C. 2019, c. 29, s. 313. However, Indigenous Peoples in Canada are experiencing a well-known and long-lasting housing shortage. Aging and inadequate housing, and the absence of critical infrastructure in Indigenous communities, especially in northern Indigenous communities, has had ongoing negative consequences for social, health, and economic outcomes. Investing in housing improves quality of life, narrows socioeconomic gaps and increases Indigenous Peoples’ participation in the economy.

Departments reporting under this horizontal initiative will report annually, through the horizontal initiative section of the supplementary tables included in ISC’s Departmental Plan (DP) and Departmental Results Report (DRR), where results and financial information (planned and actuals) will be provided, as well as within the main body of their own DP and DRR.

ISC will lead horizontal work to report on results achieved under the Support for Indigenous Housing horizontal initiative for the first five years (2022–2023 to 2026–2027). After this time, should ISC no longer have funding that is subject to this initiative, responsibility for reporting on remaining years of investments (2027–2028 and 2028–2029) will shift to another partner department to maintain the integrity of the overall initiative.

Governance structures:

Central to the governance structure of the Support for Indigenous Housing horizontal initiative is the senior-level Oversight Committee which is comprised of Assistant Deputy Ministers from ISC and CIRNAC. The Oversight Committee is responsible for the overall governance and coordination of the housing horizontal initiative, including ensuring that reporting is timely and accurate. The Oversight Committee is supported by a Director General Steering Committee (DGSC) that addresses operational, implementation or technical issues identified by the working group. A horizontal working group composed of officials from ISC and CIRNAC are convening regularly to discuss the advancement of the initiative, ensure general alignment of approaches, highlight any challenges that arise, and propose solutions for the consideration of the DGSC. Terms of reference for each level of the governance structure outline the composition and respective roles of each group.

Total federal funding allocated (from start to end date) (dollars): $4,000,806,772

Total federal planned spending to date (dollars): $2,674,706,774

Total federal actual spending to date (dollars): $2,743,669,352

Date of last renewal of the horizontal initiative: Not applicable

Total federal funding allocated at last renewal, and source of funding (dollars): Not applicable

Additional federal funding received after the last renewal (dollars): Not applicable

Total planned spending since the last renewal: Not applicable

Total actual spending since the last renewal: Not applicable

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: Not applicable

Performance highlights:

Indigenous Services Canada

As of March 31, 2026, Budget 2022 investments have supported a broad range of housing initiatives in First Nations communities. These investments have contributed to the construction of 1,188 new housing units, with a further 2,506 units under construction; the renovation of 2,215 units, with an additional 3,981 underway; the servicing of 783 housing lots, with another 2,419 in progress; and support for 362 capacity development and innovation projects, with a further 1,441 underway.

In addition to supporting housing infrastructure, Budget 2022 investments have strengthened housing management capacity in First Nations communities. ISC began collecting data in 2023–2024 to measure the impacts of housing manager subsidies and training and certification supports. Results show continued growth between 2023–2024 and 2024–2025, with the proportion of First Nations employing a housing manager increasing from 24% to 37%, and the proportion accessing training and certification programs rising from 21% to 33%. These findings demonstrate that Budget 2022 investments are helping to build local housing expertise and capacity while supporting the delivery and management of housing projects.

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Inuit

It is estimated that Inuit Treaty Partners will have constructed up to 90 new units and repaired 60 existing units by the end of 2025–2026 from federal Budget investments. Actual results are expected to be shared in Fall 2026/Winter 2027. Inuit Treaty Organizations have governance and decision-making structures in place that support the effective delivery of housing investments and enable self-determined approaches tailored to the unique needs of their communities. Together, the work is guided by the shared implementation of the Inuit Nunangat Housing Strategy and joint work undertaken though the Inuit Crown Partnership Committee.

Métis partners

Budget 2022 invested $190.2M over seven years to accelerate Métis housing, which is used to supplement efforts made under the Métis Nation Housing Strategy. Housing results for 2025–2026 have not yet been received. As of the end of 2024–2025, Métis partners have built or acquired more than 2,025 new housing units, renovated approximately 7,918 dwellings, and provided financial assistance to their citizens, including down payment assistance for over 2,809 home purchases and rent subsidies for nearly 12,049 households.

Modern Treaty and Self-Governing First Nations

Budget 2022 invested $565M over five years, of which $560.8M is being delivered to 28 Modern Treaty and Self-Governing First Nations for First Nation-led, self-determined housing investments. All 2025–2026 funds were delivered on time through grants. The first funding installment arrived late in 2022–2023, and future allocations will be provided at the start of each fiscal year thereafter. Partners have been investing the funds towards identified housing needs within their communities. These may include building or maintaining homes, community buildings, and rental housing.

Investments from previous years have supported the development of new subdivisions and residential lots, new housing construction, housing assessments, housing grant programs, housing repairs, new transitional housing, and housing to support elders and people with disabilities living within Modern Treaty and Self-Governing First Nations communities. In many cases, Modern Treaty and Self-Governing First Nations were able to combine federal funding with own-source revenues and/or additional funds from provincial housing entities to maximize the impact of investments in their communities.

Contact information:

Indigenous Services Canada

Nelson Barbosa
Director General, Infrastructure Branch
Telephone: 613-323-6738
Email address: Nelson.Barbosa@sac-isc.gc.ca

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

Kate Ledgerwood
Director General, Reconciliation Secretariat
Telephone: 613-922-8591
Email address: kate.ledgerwood@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

Élizabeth Pigeon
Director General, Implementation Branch
Telephone: 613-266-1347
Email address: elizabeth.pigeon@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

Marie-Pierre Wallace
Director, Strategic Policy and Integration Directorate, Northern Strategic Policy Branch
Telephone: 613-218-6920
Email address: marie-pierre.wallace@rcaanc-cirnac.gc.ca

Shared outcomes

Name of theme	Housing Infrastructure	Governance and Institutional Capacity to support Indigenous Housing Improvements	Internal Services
Theme outcome(s)	Availability of housing for Indigenous Peoples is improved	Indigenous communities advance their capacity to govern housing programs and services	Not applicable
Indigenous Services Canada	$2,139,846,760^{Table note 1}	$235,157,900^{Table note 1}	$25,495,340
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada	$975,509,543^{Table note 2}	$622,946,277^{Table note 3}	$1,850,954
Table note 1 This includes 5-year funding from 2022-2023 to 2026-2027. Return to table note 1 referrer Table note 2 This includes 7-year funding from 2022-2023 to 2028-2029. Return to table note 2 referrer Table note 3 This includes $564.47 million in 5-year funding from 2022–2023 to 2026–2027 and $58.47 million in 7-year funding from 2022–2023 to 2028–2029. Return to table note 3 referrer

Performance information

Horizontal initiative overview

Name of horizontal initiative	Total federal funding, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal	2025–2026 planned spending	2025–2026 actual spending	Horizontal initiative shared outcome(s)	Performance indicator(s)	Target(s)	Date to achieve target	2025–2026 actual results
Support for Indigenous Housing	$4,000,806,772	$848,500,000	$862,870,286	Improved housing for Indigenous Peoples	Percentage of First Nation housing on reserve that is adequate, as assessed and reported by First Nations	75%	March 31, 2026	72.5%^{Table note 1}
				Improved housing for Indigenous Peoples	Core housing need for Indigenous Peoples^{Table note 2}	9%^{Table note 3}	March 31, 2031	Not available^{Table note 4}
				The housing need gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples is reduced	Percentage of difference in core housing need^{Table note 2} between Indigenous and non-Indigenous households	4%^{Table note 3}	March 31, 2031	Not available^{Table note 4}
Table note 1 Performance results correspond to the preceding fiscal year to align with public reporting timelines. Return to table note 1 referrer Table note 2 Core Housing Need, as defined by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), is comprised of three characteristics: suitability, affordability and adequacy. Core Housing Need is assessed for all residents of Canada through the Census. CHN assesses the following housing standards: (1) suitability is measured according to the National Occupancy Standard, and whether the number of bedrooms can accommodate the size and make-up of residents; (2) affordability is defined as housing which costs less than 30% of total before-tax household income; and (3) adequacy refers to housing that does not need any major repairs (reported by residents), with major repairs including defective plumbing or electrical wiring, or structural repairs to walls, floors, or ceilings. Return to table note 2 referrer Table note 3 These targets are notional estimates based on an analysis of past data, the funding being invested as part of this horizontal initiative, and the anticipated continued impacts of housing funding invested since 2016. Past Census data reports Core Housing Need for Indigenous identity for all of Canada as follows: 2011 (21.0%); 2016 (19.8%); 2021 (13.2%). Census data for % of difference in Core Housing Need between Indigenous identity and non-Indigenous identity for all of Canada reports: 2011 (10.7%); 2016 (9.5%); 2021 (5.8%). Note: As is generally the case for ultimate outcomes, these results cannot be solely attributed to the activities included in this horizontal initiative. While these activities are expected to contribute to the achievement of these outcomes, multiple external factors such as environmental conditions and unforeseen events (e.g., the COVID-19 pandemic) can influence the rate at which the anticipated progress is achieved. Return to table note 3 referrer Table note 4 The data will be available through Census 2026 as Statistics Canada releases products related to Indigenous demographics, likely in 2027–2028. Return to table note 4 referrer

Theme horizontal initiative activities

Theme 1 details

Name of theme	Total federal theme funding, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal^{Footnote *}	2025–2026 federal theme planned spending	2025–2026 federal theme actual spending	Theme outcome(s)	Theme performance indicator(s)	Theme target(s)	Date to achieve theme target	2025-2026 actual results
Housing Infrastructure	$3,141,717,622	$653,221,080	$669,811,902	Availability of housing for Indigenous Peoples is improved	Percentage of First Nation households on reserve living in a dwelling that contains more than one person per room (measure of overcrowding)	10.7%	March 31, 2026	11.27%^{Table note 1}
					Percentage of Inuit housing construction needs that were addressed	To be established following completion of Inuit impact assessment study in Fall 2026	March 31, 2029	Not available
					Percentage of Inuit housing repair/renovation needs that were addressed	To be established following completion of Inuit impact assessment study in Fall 2026	March 31, 2029	Not available
					Percentage of Métis housing construction/purchase needs that were addressed	79%	March 31, 2026	52%^{Footnote 2}
					Percentage of Métis housing repair/renovation needs that were addressed	95%	March 31, 2026	54%^{Footnote 3}
Table note 1 This is result from 2021 Census data. New result will be available in 2027. Return to table note 1 referrer Table note 2 This result is for 2024–2025. Results for 2025–2026 are expected by Winter 2027. Return to table note 2 referrer Table note 3 This result is for 2024–2025. Results for 2025–2026 are expected by Fall 2026. Return to table note 3 referrer

Theme 1 horizontal initiative activities

Departments	Link to the department’s program inventory	Horizontal initiative activity (activities)	Total federal funding, including legacy funding, allocated to each horizontal initiative activity since the last renewal^{Footnote *}	2025–2026 planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity	2025–2026 actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity	2025–2026 horizontal initiative activity expected result(s)	2025–2026 horizontal initiative activity performance indicator(s)	2025–2026 horizontal initiative activity target(s)	Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target	2025–2026 actual results
Indigenous Services Canada	Community Infrastructure	Infrastructure investments to support housing on reserves	$2,165,342,100	$586,091,500	$602,682,322	First Nation communities have suitable and adequate housing	Number of First Nation housing units on reserve built or acquired as a result of housing funding	5,100 new units built or acquired	March 31, 2027	1,188^{Table note 1}
							Number of First Nation housing units on reserve renovated as a result of housing funding	3,800 units renovated	March 31, 2027	2,215^{Table note 2}
							Number of housing lots serviced as a result of housing funding	2,100 lots serviced	March 31, 2027	783^{Table note 3}
							Number of extensions to existing subdivisions as a result of housing funding	8 extensions to existing subdivisions	March 31, 2027	0^{Table note 4}
							Number of new housing subdivisions as a result of housing funding	4 new subdivisions	March 31, 2027	4^{Table note 5}
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada	Indigenous-Led Services	Housing infrastructure investments for Inuit Treaty Organizations	$845,100,000	$51,800,000	$51,800,000	Inuit communities have suitable and adequate housing	Number of Inuit housing units constructed	60	March 31, 2026	71^{Table note 6}
			$845,100,000	$51,800,000	$51,800,000	Inuit communities have suitable and adequate housing	Number of Inuit housing units repaired/renovated	40	March 31, 2026	65^{Table note 6}
		Housing infrastructure investments for Métis Governing Members, Manitoba Métis Federation and Métis Settlements	$131,275,522	$15,329,580	$15,329,580	Métis communities have suitable and adequate housing	Number of Métis housing units constructed/purchased	85	March 31, 2026	160^{Table note 6}
			$131,275,522	$15,329,580	$15,329,580	Métis communities have suitable and adequate housing	Number of Métis housing units repaired/renovated	427	March 31, 2026	1,394^{Table note 6}
Table note 1 As of March 31, 2026, 2,506 new units are underway. Return to table note 1 referrer Table note 2 As of March 31, 2026, 3,981 additions/renovations are underway. Return to table note 2 referrer Table note 3 As of March 31, 2026, 2,419 lots servicing are underway. Return to table note 3 referrer Table note 4 As of March 31, 2026, there are 52 ongoing subdivision-related project. Return to table note 4 referrer Table note 5 Completed subdivision projects largely refer to phased development projects rather than fully complete subdivisions. As of March 31, 2026, there are 52 ongoing subdivision-related project. Return to table note 5 referrer Table note 6 This result is for 2024–2025. Results for 2025–2026 are expected in Fall 2026. Return to table note 6 referrer

Theme 2 details

Name of theme	Total federal theme funding, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal^{Footnote *}	2025–2026 federal theme planned spending	2025–2026 federal theme actual spending	Theme outcome(s)	Theme performance indicator(s)	Theme target(s)	Date to achieve theme target	2025–2026 actual results
Governance and Institutional Capacity to support Indigenous Housing Improvements	$859,089,150	$195,278,920	$193,058,384	Indigenous communities advance their capacity to govern housing programs and services	Percentage of First Nations that employ at least one dedicated position focused on housing management responsibilities	25%	March 31, 2027	37%^{Table note 1}
					Percentage of Métis partners that have a comprehensive workplan for implementing their housing program control framework	100%	March 31, 2026	100%
					Percentage of Modern Treaty and Self-Government agreement partners that have provided final reports on their Action Plans	100%	December 31, 2027	Not available^{Table note 2}
					Percentage of Métis organizations in the Northwest Territories that are providing housing programs to their membership	100%	March 31, 2030	100%
Table note 1 Results are based on data from the Community Infrastructure and Housing Annual Report which is published outside of the reporting cycle for the Departmental Results Report. The result is from 2024–2025. The result for 2025–2026 will be available in early 2027. Return to table note 1 referrer Table note 2 No result is reported for this indicator for the fiscal year, as measurement against the target is not due until 2027. Return to table note 2 referrer

Theme 2 horizontal initiative activities

Departments	Link to the department’s program inventory	Horizontal initiative activity (activities)	Total federal funding, including legacy funding, allocated to each horizontal initiative activity since the last renewal^{Footnote *}	2025–2026 planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity	2025–2026 actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity	2025–2026 horizontal initiative activity expected result(s)	2025–2026 horizontal initiative activity performance indicator(s)	2025–2026 horizontal initiative activity target(s)	Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target	2025–2026 actual results
Indigenous Services Canada	Community Infrastructure	Investments in First Nations capacity to govern, manage and deliver housing programs and services	$235,157,900	$57,508,500	$55,373,435	First Nations implement projects to enhance their capacity to manage and maintain their housing	Number of capacity and innovation projects supported as a result of this funding	Not applicable^{Table note 1}	Not applicable^{Table note 1}	Not applicable^{Table note 1}
						First Nations have improved access to financing for housing projects	Number of Indigenous Financial Institutions (IFI) participating in a national network	6 new participating IFIs	March 31, 2027	0^{Table note 2}
							Value of loans without Ministerial Loan Guarantees (MLGs) or local government guarantees	$32,215	March 31, 2027	$0^{Table note 2}
Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada	Management and Implementation of Agreements and Treaties	Investments in SGMT programs and services	$565,000,000	$130,000,000^{Table note 3}	$130,000,000^{Table note 3}	Indigenous Peoples manage and control their desired programs and services	Percentage of Modern Treaty and Self- Government First Nations that have submitted Action Plans to access initiative	Not applicable^{Table note 4}	Not applicable^{Table note 4}	Not applicable^{Table note 4}
	Indigenous-Led Services	Housing governance capacity for Regional Métis Organizations including: Métis Nation of British Columbia, Otipemisiwak Métis Government, Métis Settlements, Métis Nation-Saskatchewan,, Manitoba Métis Federation, and Métis Nation of Ontario	$23,166,269	$2,705,220^{Table note 3}	$2,705,220^{Table note 3}	Métis partners have increased knowledge of their citizens’ housing needs	Percentage of housing needs assessments completed by Métis partners	Not applicable^{Table note 4}	Not applicable^{Table note 4}	Not applicable^{Table note 4}
	Northern and Arctic Governance and Partnerships Program	Investments in Métis communities in the Northwest Territories to address housing and infrastructure needs	$35,764,981	$5,065,200	$4,979,729	Territories, Northerners and Indigenous Peoples have access to federal support	Percentage of Métis organizations in the Northwest Territories that have strategic plans, policies, or programs in place to support analysis or advocacy around their housing needs	100%	March 31, 2026	100%
Table note 1 The target for this indicator has been achieved; however, the initiative continues to provide funding for capacity-building and innovation projects until the funding sunsets. In 2025–2026, 1,803 projects were funded and those included 362 completed and 1,441 ongoing capacity and innovation projects. Return to table note 1 referrer Table note 2 This indicator relates to a financial innovation initiative that has received funding for core operations but has not yet received the seed funding required to onboard Indigenous Financial Institutions and back loans. Return to table note 2 referrer Table note 3 Although the indicator is dormant and the program is no longer collecting data, the program will disperse the remainder of the allocated budget in 2025–2026 to continue supporting Indigenous communities with this initiative. Return to table note 3 referrer Table note 4 The assessments for measuring and evaluating this indicator have been completed and submitted. The results are reported in the 2024–2025 Departmental Results Report. Return to table note 4 referrer

Total spending, all themes

Theme	Total federal funding, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal^{Footnote *}	2025-2026 total federal planned spending	2025-2026 total federal actual spending
Theme 1	$3,141,717,622	$653,221,080	$669,811,902
Theme 2	$859,089,150	$195,278,920	$193,058,384
Total: all themes	$4,000,806,772	$848,500,000	$862,870,286

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Date modified:: 2026-11-06