The federal government invests in 1,661 housing units in Indigenous communities and northern villages in Quebec

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 28, 2025 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada today announced more than $62 million in contributions and low-cost repayable loans to build and repair 1,661 housing units in 51 projects in various Indigenous communities and northern villages in Quebec.

These projects are supported by a range of National Housing Strategy (NHS) initiatives and aim to address needs across the entire housing continuum for First Nations and Inuit.

The funding announced today includes: 

• $609,000 in loans and $29,849,428 in contributions under the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF), which will help create 109 housing units and repair 1,413 housing units in 30 housing projects.
• A contribution of $32,357,827 under the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI), which will help create 135 housing units and repair four units in 21 housing projects.

Through investments like these, the federal government is working to end the housing crisis so that everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home today, and so that future generations have the same opportunity to rent or own a home as generations that came before them.

Quotes:

"Our government is determined to work with Indigenous communities and northern villages to design and implement local housing solutions. This investment helps First Nations and Inuit in Quebec access safe and affordable housing that meets their needs."  – The Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

Quick facts:

• The National Housing Strategy (NHS) is a $115-plus billion plan spanning over 10 years that will give more Canadians a place to call home. Progress on programs and initiatives is updated quarterly on the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) website. The Housing and Infrastructure Project Map shows the affordable housing projects developed so far.
  • As of September 2024, the federal government had committed $57.57 billion to support the construction of more than 156,000 housing units and the repair of more than an additional 297,000. The measures prioritize those in greatest need, including seniors, Indigenous people, people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and women and children fleeing violence.
• The Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) provides funding through low-interest and/or forgivable loans or contributions to partnered organizations for new affordable housing and the renovation and repair of existing, affordable and community housing. The AHF is a $14.6-billion National Housing Strategy program that prioritizes housing projects for those who need it most: women and children fleeing family violence, seniors, Indigenous people, people living with disabilities, those with mental health or addiction issues, veterans and young adults.
  • As of September 2024, the federal government had committed $10.34 billion to support the creation of over 40,000 units and the repair of over 166,000 units through the AHF.
  • The improvements to the AHF announced in Budget 2024 include extending the program from 2025–2026 to 2028–2029. The existing New Construction stream is now subdivided into two sub-streams: a Rapid Housing sub-stream to create shelters, transitional housing and supportive housing for those in greatest need, and a Community Housing sub-stream to support affordable and mixed-market housing projects with both affordable and market-rent units.  For the Repair and Renewal stream, the minimum requirements have been replaced by an approach that prioritizes accessible and energy-efficient housing projects. The application period for the enhanced program has been open since November 22.
• The Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) is administered by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) as part of the NHS. The RHI provides funding for the rapid construction of housing and the acquisition of existing buildings for rehabilitation or conversion to permanent affordable housing projects. In its third phase, launched in 2022, the RHI has once again exceeded its targets. As a result of this phase, more than 5,200 housing units are expected to be built, nearly half of which will be for women and one third for Indigenous people. The total number of units created through RHI funding is expected to exceed 16,000. The program has ended.
  • The RHI takes a human rights-based approach to housing. It supports people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, as well as other vulnerable individuals, in particular women and children fleeing domestic violence, seniors, young adults, Indigenous people, people with disabilities, people living with mental health or addiction issues, veterans, 2SLGBTQIA+ community members, racialized groups and recent immigrants or refugees.

Additional information:

• Visit canada.ca/housing for the most-requested Government of Canada housing information.
• CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC's aim is that everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
• Progress on programs and initiatives is updated quarterly on the Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada (HICC) website. The Housing and Infrastructure Project Map shows the affordable housing projects developed so far.

Appendix: Communities receiving funding through an initiative of the National Housing Strategy (NHS)

Community	Number of units	Type	Federal funding ($)
Odanak	8	New construction	870,000
Gesgapegiag	30	Repairs	450,000
Nutashkuan	10	Repairs	150,000
Ekuanitshit	10	Repairs	150,000
Wemotaci	10	Repairs	150,000
Pessamit	16	Repairs	240,000
Rapid Lake	5	Repairs	75,000
Winneway	10	Repairs	150,000
Obedjiwan	38	Repairs	570,000
La Romaine	10	Repairs	150,000
Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam	60	New construction	4,500,000
Pikogan	2	New construction	429,000
Pikogan	4	New construction	785,400
Gesgapegiag	6	New construction	423,000
Gesgapegiag	6	New construction	675,000
Kawawachikamach	4	New construction	1,400,244
Kawawachikamach	6	New construction	2,045,089
Kebaowek	6	New construction	501,000
Lac-Simon	18	New construction	2,600,000
Pakuashipi	5	New construction	1,392,750
Communautés cries	750	Repairs	11,250,000
Gesgapegiag	27	Repairs	405,000
Kawawachikamach	62	Repairs	930,000
La Romaine	50	Repairs	492,000
Mashteuiatsh	68	Repairs	104,723
Manawan	46	Repairs	690,000
Obedjiwan	85	Repairs	1,213,000
Pessamit	36	Repairs	320,500
Natashquan	36	Repairs	470,000
Kebaowek	3	Repairs	45,000
Ekuanitshit	17	Repairs	173,200
Pakuashipi	6	Repairs	42,300
Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam	70	Repairs	981,000
Lac-Simon	14	Repairs	122,500
Wemotaci	4	Repairs	60,000
Odanak	9	New construction	2,398,625
Winneway	6	New construction	1,516,528
La Romaine	5	New construction	1,732,500
Pakuashipi	4	New construction	970,920
Kebaowek	6	New construction	777,994
Ekuanitshit	5	New construction	1,962,684
Natashquan	5	New construction	1,255,580
Obedjiwan	5	New construction	908,523
Obedjiwan	8	New construction	520,464
Obedjiwan	6	New construction	596,264
Obedjiwan	4	Repairs	223,880
Uashat Mak Mani-Utenam	20	New construction	3,735,000
Wemotaci	8	New construction	1,640,826
Inukjuak	8	New construction	399,440
Kuujuaq	6	New construction	7,781,709
Kuujuaq	19	New construction	1,390,000
Total	1,661		62,816,643

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

Contacts: Sofia Ouslis, Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected]