Developing a localized urban Indigenous Community Land Trust

Calgary has a large and diverse urban Indigenous population. Housing affordability and access for Indigenous people, however, continues to be a challenge. There also is a lack of Indigenous-specific affordable housing that reflects the cultural needs of Indigenous people. A community land trust (CLT) specifically created for urban Indigenous populations could help alleviate barriers to housing access. It also could provide opportunities to accelerate rental housing and affordable home ownership.

The Calgary Urban Indigenous Community Land Trust Development Project will identify and develop a localized Indigenous CLT model. The model will be co-designed with the community, including Indigenous Elders and urban Indigenous community stakeholders. The resulting model will help address the limited stock of culturally relevant affordable housing options for urban Indigenous peoples in Calgary.

Project scope and expected outcomes

Housing affordability is a challenge, particularly for Indigenous populations

Calgary has a focus on developing affordable housing solutions, and it has some notable achievements in that area. Housing affordability, however, continues to be a challenge, particularly for Indigenous populations. That is why the development of Indigenous affordable housing is considered the highest priority among local stakeholders, government and communities.

A CLT offers an opportunity to increase community-owned affordable housing options in a way that is in keeping with Indigenous values. For Indigenous peoples, the concept of “home” reflects safety, stability, community and connections to the land. CLTs—non-profit corporations that hold land in trust to help provide affordable access to land and housing for community residents—fit that.

A CLT could remove barriers to access and provide opportunities for rental and affordable home ownership. This would help address Indigenous housing and homelessness and help Indigenous peoples gain access to stable affordable housing. CLTs are also membership-based organizations, governed by an elected board of directors and made up of community members and non-profit organizations. This may contribute to a sense of community for Indigenous people who have chosen urban living.

Highlighting and developing promising urban Indigenous community land trust solutions for affordable housing

With support from the National Housing Strategy’s Demonstrations Initiative, this project will highlight promising urban Indigenous CLT models and develop a local model. Community collaboration will be an important part of that process. The Aboriginal Standing Committee on Housing and Homelessness (ASCHH) will mobilize community stakeholders to establish a diverse cultural and local perspective. This includes Indigenous Elders and community stakeholders, governments, funding agencies, housing providers and support programs.

The project will be informed by existing CLT experience in Calgary. That knowledge will be crucial to creating an urban Indigenous CLT. Twenty-eight other CLTs were also reviewed before the project to identify potential networks and gather information on possible models.

Working together to create an urban Indigenous community land trust for the local community

The project will begin by working with Calgary’s existing CLTs, community housing partners and Indigenous-specific CLTs. They will collaborate to uncover relevant knowledge, strategies and best practices. The project will also identify things to adopt, adapt or replicate to meet the needs of the local community. An Indigenous researcher will work on identifying existing policies around land acquisition in Calgary and best practices in other cities.

A subcommittee of community stakeholders will work together throughout the project on a model for a localized urban Indigenous CLT. They will be guided by the Elder’s Advisory Council, a group of Elders who will help guide the project and ensure its cultural integrity. The localized urban Indigenous CLT model will be created by the end of the project.

The completed model will be presented to the community through a Tea Dance ceremony. The Tea Dance is a traditional Blackfoot ceremony used to support community feedback and establish consensus. Elders and community stakeholders will then review the model and the decision-making will be finalized.

Improving accessibility to housing for urban Indigenous Peoples in Calgary

In the short term, the project will build the capacity of Calgary’s Indigenous affordable housing sector. This will align with existing housing strategies, such as the National Housing Strategy and the City of Calgary’s affordable housing strategy.

It will also help to improve access to stable, safe and culturally-appropriate Indigenous housing through rental options and first-time home ownership. This includes culturally flexible opportunities that allow for traditional ceremonies and practices, or places to gather for feasts and other activities. Importantly, the CLT will make sure those housing and community opportunities are preserved in perpetuity.

Over the longer term, the project will offer an approach to urban Indigenous CLTs that can be adapted/replicated elsewhere in Canada. This could help CLTs developed and implemented by other urban Indigenous stakeholders and communities. It also offers a social return on investment, such as lower health costs or justice involvement for urban Indigenous people. This would be done in a community-based manner, improving Indigenous autonomy and sense of community.