Bonnyville Family Reunification Program Groundbreaking
We are happy to announce today’s groundbreaking on a housing project in Bonnyville to bring our Family Reunification Program (FRP) to the community.
The Family Reunification Program (FRP) is designed and dedicated to reuniting Indigenous mothers, fathers, and their children by providing safe, long-term housing, and supports. Families are referred to the program via Alberta Children’s Services. Our approach is a culturally-responsive, strength-based program where families are empowered to be part of the decision-making process and are supported throughout the program and beyond.
We believe a healthy community raises healthy children.
The Métis Nation of Alberta is honoured to work alongside Métis Capital Housing to bring the Family Reunification Project to Bonnyville. Reuniting Indigenous mothers, fathers, and their children through a culturally responsive program that empowers and supports families is an important step toward healing and reconciliation. We value fairness and respect for all individuals and strive to support and empower them to achieve their goals, wherever they are in their life’s journey. The Family Reunification Program is one of the many ways we accomplish this. – President Audrey Poitras
The Métis Capital Housing development will be comprised of 12 units of apartment dwelling, along with a common area that includes workshop spaces, cultural counselling rooms, learning centres, and a kitchen. The proposed project will give Indigenous families a safe zone to start their healing process surrounded by cultural programming, teachings, and healing circles, along with group and one-on-one counselling.
Further details, such as construction timelines, will be provided by Métis Capital Housing as they become available.
The Reaching Home Program and RLI are coming to you!
Have you wanted to know more about The Reaching Home Program? We are coming to your community and would love to talk with you!
The Reaching Home program allows for immediate interventions and long-term solutions for Métis Albertans facing homelessness.
We will answer your questions, and help you get the support you need.
Where and When:
Coming Soon
The Way Home
All roads from Métis Housing lead home.
Walk or drive around designated Indigenous site throughout Edmonton. Make sure to snap a picture of you with a loved one at each location shown on the map. Then, upload the pics on your social media, tag us @metishousingab, and use the #TheWayHome.
You can find the map here: The Way Home Map
Home Programs Are Back
We are thrilled to be able to announce the return of our Home Programs for Métis Citizens in good standing for a limited time: DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE; HOME REPAIRS ASSISTANCE; RENTAL SUPPLEMENT; STUDENT RENTAL SUPPLEMENT; and our new program – MORTGAGE ASSISTANCE. These programs increase housing security for Métis Albertans which is reflected in the recent Statistics Canada 2021 Census in Brief - Housing conditions among First Nations people, Métis and Inuit in Canada.
Down Payment Assistance:
If you make $150,000 or less, let us help you make the move from renting to home ownership.
Receive up to a 5% down payment to a maximum amount of $20,000 per successful application!
Home Repairs Assistance:
Do you make $150,000 or less and have home repairs or renovations you need to tackle? Receive up to $20,000 per successful application for repairs to cover the costs of all interior and exterior home repairs and renovations.
Rental Supplement:
Life comes with ups and downs, trials and triumphs, and opportunities and challenges. Let us help ease some of the not-so-good moments through this program! Receive up to $5,400 per year towards your rent and up to $850 towards your deposit.
Student Rental Supplement:
Are you a Métis student enrolled in full-time studies? You may be eligible to receive up to $200/month towards your rent and up to $850 towards your deposit.
NEW! Mortgage Assistance:
If you have experienced a loss of income resulting in a 50% or more decrease in your monthly net income, you may be eligible for mortgage assistance. Successful applicants will receive up to $5,000 paid directly to the lender for mortgage arrears.
Since November 2019:
The Home Repair Program has approved more than $9.5 million and served 543 households!
The Down Payment Assistance Program has approved just over $6.3 million and served 426 households!
The Student Rental Supplement Program has approved $369,000 and served 75 students!
The Rental Supplement Program has approved over $4.5 million and served 571 households!
These programs have changed the lives of 1,615 households and we are just getting started! The long-term ripple effect is unfathomable. We feel so fortunate to be a part of raising our community up with this essential support.
We will continue to work tirelessly to serve each of our Citizens and advance housing security for the Métis Citizens of Alberta.
Thank you to our team and our Citizens who have made these programs possible. Make sure to apply today while funding is available! Home Programs
Griesbach Announcement
Métis Housing is honoured to be a part of this powerful housing initiative to provide meaningful housing for our Indigenous community. Thank you, Mayor Sohi, and the City of Edmonton for this opportunity.
“We, the Métis Nation of Alberta, are honoured to play a part in providing housing to hundreds of low-income Indigenous families in Edmonton,” said Audrey Poitras, president of the Métis Nation of Alberta. “To have a safe place where our community can gather and our families grow roots is an important step toward healing and reconciliation. As an Indigenous-owned and operated organization with 40 years of experience, Métis Capital Housing is ready and equipped to house our people.”
Statistics Canada 2021 Census in Brief Response
On September 21, 2022, Statistics Canada released their Census in Brief – Housing conditions among First Nations people, Métis and Inuit in Canada from the 2021 Census. The data was dismal, but not surprising.
Over one in six Indigenous people (17.1% or 309,345 people) Canada-wide live in crowded housing not considered suitable for the number of people who live there, according to the National Occupancy Standard. Amongst the non-Indigenous population, the rate is 9.4% (pp. 3-4).
Not only is the Indigenous population of Canada living at much higher rates of overcrowding, they are also almost three times more likely to live in a dwelling in need of major repairs (16.4%) than the non-Indigenous population (5.7%) in 2021 (pp. 3-4).
The gap narrowed marginally between the groups in both areas since 2016. However, as is apparent by the numbers, the gap is still far too large.
If we separate the Métis population from the broader Indigenous population nationwide, we find that approximately 1 in 12 Métis (7.9% or 49,565 people) live in crowded housing. Those living in metropolitan areas of 100,000 or more are more likely to live in crowded housing compared to those living outside of the large city. Métis are also less likely to be living in a dwelling in need of major repairs (10%) compared to the Indigenous population at large. While the numbers are better for the Métis population, there is still a long way to go to achieve parity with the non-Indigenous population within Canada. The Métis population within Alberta is in a slightly better position than many other areas of Canada – 7% of the population live in overcrowded dwellings and 9% live in a dwelling in need of major repairs (pp. 6-7).
A large reason for this is the tireless work being done by Métis Housing, as a ministry of the Métis Nation of Alberta, but there is far to go. At Métis Housing we recognize the disparity in housing for Métis and pan-Indigenous populations across the province in comparison to our non-Indigenous neighbours.
Over the past 40 years, we have been committed to housing our people. This year marks 40 years since Métis Urban Housing Corporation (MUHC) first opened its doors. Métis Capital Housing Corporation (MCHC) followed in 2007. Today, the two make up what we call Métis Housing. Collectively, MUHC and MCHC maintain and manage rental accommodations, providing housing to over 3,000 residents in 14 urban centres throughout Alberta.
This coming year we will continue adding to our rental inventory and providing suitable accommodations within a cultural framework for Métis citizens and other Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples within Alberta. We will also expand and continue to offer programs that address the many barriers facing our community’s housing journey.
For more information, please email info@metishousing.ca
Affordable Housing Project Funding Announcement
We are thrilled to officially announce Métis Capital Housing Corporation has received a federal land initiative grant for an affordable housing project in Griesbach. We look forward to providing another safe option for our community to live and thrive in.
The development will comprise 127 affordable units for low-income Indigenous families, focusing on women and children. It will be a place of inclusivity, community, and healing. The sites will be located adjacent to the future Metro Line Northwest Light Rail Transit in the Griesbach community, located 12 minutes north of downtown Edmonton.
“Housing is a huge concern for many Métis families in Alberta’s capital city. Today’s announcement of $3 million from the National Housing Strategy to procure and establish the former Griesbach Barracks site into safe and affordable housing is very good news for all Indigenous people living in Edmonton.”
- Audrey Poitras, President of the Métis Nation of Alberta.
There will be 42 barrier-free suites with 10 fully automated units to meet the needs of severely handicapped people. Fifty suites will be assigned to women and children fleeing domestic violence who seek permanent and safe housing. Further, the remaining suites, a mix of one-bedroom to four-bedroom suites, will be available for growing families, focusing on single parents and children.
The proposed project will give women and children a safe zone to start their healing process surrounded by cultural programming, teachings, healing circles, and group and one-on-one counselling.
We will provide further details, such as construction timelines, as they become available.
Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy
As announced in our recent newsletter, we are excited to start our Reaching Home Program - a community-based initiative aiming to prevent and reduce homelessness.
The program will allow for immediate interventions and long-term solutions to address homelessness within Métis communities.
Métis Capital Housing will provide:
- Housing services including short-term rental supplements, damage deposit, moving expenses, landlord mediation
- Support and resources to prevent eviction
- Services such as financial support, public transit tickets, access to oral care programs
- Economic integration services including assistance with accessing income benefits; job search, resume writing, and interview preparation; and education and training assistance for entering the work-force
- Social and community integration including access to recreation centres, participation in sports activities, and Indigenous Elder consultation
- Clinical and treatment services such as mental health and addiction support, along with partnering with Child and Family Services to support youth in, or who are coming out of care
- Funding to cover shelter and transitional housing costs, including the renovation of emergency shelters and transitional housing units; demolition of existing buildings and construction of a new facility for transitional or permanent supportive housing; construction of non-residential facilities such as drop-in centres and counselling spaces; and the repairs of damages resulting from housing placements.
Click here for the application.
Nihgi Métis Seniors Lodge Closure
Nihgi Métis Seniors Lodge has been a vital part of our community since 1968. On August 31, 2021 Nihgi Métis Seniors Lodge will close its doors, as the current facility no longer provides the quality of housing we desire for our elderly.
We are excited to announce we will be building a new senior’s facility in its place! The Métis Nation of Alberta’s Health Department conducted a Continuing Care Needs Assessment reflecting the needs of the aging Métis population. At Métis Housing, we recognize that we must provide safe, adequate, and affordable housing for our elders to enjoy.
We are holding community engagement sessions soon to ensure the new facility meets our community’s specific needs. The new facility will be a “green build”, keeping sustainability and longevity at the forefront of its development.
Thank you Nihgi for 54 amazing years!
We will continue providing information about the new facility and our community engagements as we go, so subscribe to our social channels below!
What We Heard - Housing Needs Assessment Report
To better understand the housing needs of the Métis community within Alberta, an assessment survey was conducted – 1068 people responded!
We heard you and we have come up with some great plans going forward.