Minister Gull-Masty joins the National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated to announce renewed Indigenous-led housing initiative

OTTAWA, TRADITIONAL UNCEDED ALGONQUIN TERRITORY, ON, Sept. 28, 2026 /CNW/ -- Indigenous Services Canada and National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated

A safe and affordable place to call home is the foundation for strong families and communities. Indigenous organizations know the housing needs of the people they serve and are best placed to develop solutions that reflect their communities, cultures, and priorities.

Today, the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services, joined John Gordon, Chief Executive Officer of the National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated (NICHI), to confirm $300 million in renewed funding for NICHI's "For Indigenous, By Indigenous" (FIBI) housing initiative. NICHI is an Indigenous-led organization that works with Indigenous housing and service providers across the country to advance housing solutions for Indigenous Peoples living in urban, rural and northern communities. The announcement was made at NICHI's Indigenous Housing Action Day during its Annual General Meeting in Ottawa.

The funding will go toward Indigenous-led housing projects that support a long-term Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy grounded in Indigenous priorities and leadership. The renewed funding brings the federal government's total investment with NICHI to $581.5 million.

NICHI's Board of Directors and Project Selection Advisory Council (PSAC) reflect the organization's national reach, with representation from across the country and decades of experience in Indigenous housing and service delivery. This means that Indigenous housing and service providers are not simply delivering a government-designed program; they are helping design and lead it. This is For Indigenous, By Indigenous decision-making in action.

Most importantly, this investment will translate into safe, affordable, and culturally appropriate spaces for Indigenous Peoples from coast to coast to coast.

Quotes

"This second round of funding is a significant step forward and builds on a total investment of $581.5 million since our incorporation on the winter solstice of 2022. We are seeing real momentum across the country, with projects moving from concept to construction. This continued investment allows us to scale that impact. When we talk about housing, we're not just talking about units. We're talking about security. We're talking about health. We're talking about the well-being of families, of individuals, of women, men, and children who need a safe, affordable, and culturally appropriate place to live."

Jocelyn Formsma
Chair, NICHI Board of Directors

"Today, we're proud to announce $300 million that will help advance Indigenous-led housing solutions, making a meaningful difference in the lives of Indigenous Peoples from coast to coast to coast. This investment represents more than funding; it represents keys in the hands of individuals and families.

"With this commitment, the Government of Canada has now entrusted NICHI with more than half a billion dollars to support Indigenous housing. That investment reflects the federal government's confidence in NICHI as a national Indigenous housing organization and its belief that a For Indigenous, By Indigenous approach delivers results for communities.

"We also recognize Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) for continuing to support NICHI in advancing a For Indigenous, By Indigenous approach to housing. This renewed investment builds on the success of the initial funding and shows what can be achieved when Indigenous organizations are trusted to lead, make decisions and deliver housing solutions that respond to the needs of their communities.

"NICHI looks forward to advancing the next generation of Indigenous-led housing across the country." 

John Gordon
Chief Executive Officer, NICHI

"A home is more than four walls. It is where families build their lives, where children grow up, and where people should be able to feel safe and secure. This $300 million investment will help more Indigenous Peoples have that foundation. Just as importantly, Indigenous Peoples are leading this work. NICHI's 'For Indigenous, By Indigenous' approach puts decisions about Indigenous housing in the hands of people who know their communities and understand what is needed. That is the kind of partnership we want to continue building."

The Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty
Minister of Indigenous Services                                                                                   

"Renewed funding to NICHI shows our government's commitment to supporting self-determination for Indigenous Peoples, who know what's best for their communities and future generations. 'For Indigenous, By Indigenous' paves the way toward improved Indigenous housing outcomes made possible through Indigenous leadership."

Yasir Naqvi
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade and to the Secretary of State
Member of Parliament, Ottawa Centre

Quick facts

• The National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Inc. (NICHI) is an Indigenous-led, national collective representing more than 130 Indigenous housing and service providers from coast to coast to coast.
• Support for projects includes funding for new capital developments, the repair, renewal and renovation of existing Indigenous housing stock, as well as organizational and capacity development to support the continued growth and scaling of Indigenous housing. Since 2023, NICHI has moved funding quickly and directly to communities, supporting approximately 77 Indigenous-led housing projects and contributing to the delivery of approximately 3,800 housing units and beds from coast to coast to coast, positively affecting the lives of more than 6,000 Indigenous Peoples.
• Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is providing $300 million to NICHI to address urgent and unmet housing needs in urban, rural and northern communities. This funding is in addition to the $281.5 million ISC provided to NICHI in 2023–2024 and 2024–2025, bringing the total investment to $581.5 million. The renewed
• investment will help maintain momentum in Indigenous housing delivery as Build Canada Homes advances its work with Indigenous housing providers. According to the 2021 Census, more than 171,000 Indigenous Peoples in urban, rural and northern areas off reserve are in core housing need. Support for NICHI and other Indigenous funding initiatives is part of the Government of Canada's commitment to address the social determinants of health and advance self-determination in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, particularly Articles 21 and 23.

Associated links

ISC: Overview of Indigenous community infrastructure investments--housing
National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated (NICHI)

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SOURCE Indigenous Services Canada

For more information, media may contact: Livi McElrea, Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services, [email protected]; Media Relations, Indigenous Services Canada, [email protected]; Simon Lalande, Senior Communications and Business Advisor, National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Incorporated (NICHI) [email protected]