News Releases: Archive
You’ll find older news releases and articles here.
AHMA Position Statement: Recognizing Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Need and a Call for Equitable Funding
November 2023
It is widely known that the playing field is not even — safe, affordable, culturally supportive housing is integral to health, healing, belonging, and well-being: without it, Indigenous Peoples fall further behind. Meaningful empowerment through Indigenous autonomy and self-determination, supporting For Indigenous, By Indigenous (FIBI) approaches, and appropriate investments to dedicated Indigenous housing are long overdue.
If Our Voices Were Heard
An article by AHMA intern, Christina Rose Gervais
December 2023
“As a young Indigenous person, I have personally experienced homelessness and it felt like I lost my self-worth. Starting the car every few hours to stay warm, and waking up at sunrise just so I could move and make sure no one knew I was sleeping in my car, was better than the alternatives. I felt alone and I remember crying myself to sleep most nights. Safe, affordable housing would have made all the difference in my world.”
Federal Fall Economic Statement falls flat for Housing Central Partners during Canada’s largest affordable housing conference
November 22, 2023
The 2023 Fall Economic Statement (FES) made a large effort to put housing at the forefront, but unfortunately it failed to bring substantial change to address the crisis that is impacting countless Canadians. AHMA, along with our Housing Central Partners have responded to the FES announcements and the urgent need for solutions.
Affordable housing conference explores Indigenous housing justice
November 9, 2023
Canada’s leading community housing event occurs in Vancouver, bringing together the affordable housing sector to focus on solutions amid the challenges of rental scarcity, rising costs, increased homelessness and climate change impacts.
Indigenous housing expert in BC delivers urgent message to Ottawa
October 16, 2023
Reminder sent to the federal government that safe, affordable housing is a key component to ending cycles of poverty and improving health outcomes for Indigenous families. AHMA is an active participant when it comes to engaging in political processes, and collectively with our partners, we have formally called for the Federal government to allocate resources required to implement year one of AHMA’s Urban, Rural, and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy. Now that Parliament is just a few weeks away from returning for its fall sitting, AHMA wishes to reiterate the asks we put forward for Budget 2024, as well as highlight two additional considerations.
BC’s Rental Protection Fund is now accepting applications
2023
Between 2016 and 2021, there were 97,390 units that rented below $1,000 per month and were lost in B.C. as a result of rising rents. For every new affordable rental home that is built in B.C., three more are lost to investors, conversions, demolitions and rent increases, preventing the province from keeping pace with the demand for affordable housing supply. The Fund will help renters keep their homes while stemming the net loss of affordable rental housing units, and offering renters stability, security and affordability over time.
AHMA’s Supportive Housing Position Paper advocates for changes to promote the inclusion of Indigenous Housing Providers in BC
2023
“We want the government to support measures that will help Indigenous organizations to build their capacity to take on more Indigenous-led supportive housing projects. We want the government to create a dedicated funding stream for supportive housing for Indigenous-led organizations. We want a Call for Interest process developed for supportive housing opportunities so AHMA members can prepare their applications early and seek assistance when needed.”
Indigenous housing advocates in BC watch as Feds fail to deliver on housing
March 30, 2023
Safe, affordable housing is a key component to ending cycles of poverty and improving health outcomes for Indigenous families but the wait for federal funds continues.
“On behalf of the AHMA Board of Directors, we are extremely disappointed in the Federal 2023 budget. If we are to tackle and address the issue of the ever growing disproportionate number of Indigenous peoples who are homeless or on the brink of homelessness in urban, rural, and northern communities, the Federal Government must invest what is required to effectively implement what we have outlined in the URNIHS.”
— Gary Wilson, President and Chair of AHMA’s Board of Directors
Indigenous Housing Coalition calls on the federal government to commit to funding a National Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy
February 7, 2023
In a press conference held February 7, 2023, National Indigenous Collaborative Housing Inc. (NICHI), an organization representing Indigenous housing providers across the country, called on the federal government to commit a minimum of $6 billion in the 2023 federal budget to meet its commitment to develop an Urban, Rural and Northern (URN) Indigenous Housing Strategy and create Canada’s first-ever National Indigenous Housing Centre.
“Investments in affordable housing must include funding for culturally relevant community resources, health services, and education to break the systemic cycle of housing insecurity that has left so many Indigenous families behind,” said Margaret Pfoh, CEO, Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) and NICHI board member. “We know that stable, supportive housing is vital for the safety and well-being of Indigenous women and their children.”
April 17 – NICHI Gathering in Winnipeg
February 2023 media release – PDF version
Watch a full recording of the press conference
Learn more about NICHI and Indigenous housing
Show your support
Community Leaders stand together to advocate for Indigenous Housing in BC
February 2, 2023
On the one-year anniversary of publicly publishing their research-based Indigenous Housing Strategy for BC, which has garnered national attention, AHMA is now launching a new video. The video features stories of lived experience with housing precarity along with the massive outpouring of support for Indigenous housing from every corner of BC.
“There was no question about the unification and collective backing we saw,” said Margaret Pfoh, AHMA CEO. “For Indigenous, By Indigenous (FIBI) solutions are clearly presented in AHMA’s strategy, and they are the only way forward. Everyone agrees. When it comes to Indigenous housing, the need is great and so is the support — watch our video to see this for yourself.”
Read the release
Watch the video
Global News article
“Home is where we learn who we are.” — Carol Archie
New Rental Protection Fund will help address growing loss of affordable housing in BC
January 12, 2023
The provincial government announced today that a new $500-million fund will be managed by B.C.’s community housing organizations to help deliver safe, affordable, and culturally supportive housing for individuals and families across B.C.
The newly developed Rental Protection Fund will enable non-profits to purchase and manage residential buildings to secure their affordability forever. This investment will lay the groundwork for better long-term livability, equity, and affordability in B.C. The Fund will assist non-profits to address the impact of the housing and homelessness crisis and help correct the past decade’s significant erosion of rental homes available to low- and moderate-income British Columbians.
The Fund will be jointly managed and distributed through a non-profit society created by the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA), BC Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA), and the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC).
Read the AHMA, BCNPHA, and CHFBC joint release here.
Read the Government of BC release here.
BC Budget is a Step Forward on Reconciliation
March 1, 2023
AHMA is pleased to see significant investment in Affordable Housing and Homelessness across BC. This investment is long overdue and needed as BC deals with a housing and homelessness crisis that disproportionately impacts Indigenous people and communities.
For too long, governments across all levels have underfunded housing and homelessness support for Indigenous communities and people. The $4.2 billion dollar investment in Affordable Housing in the provincial budget — including an additional $1.7 billion commitment in operating and capital to double the number of units created through the Indigenous Housing Fund, and expand the Community Housing Fund, is a step in the right direction and will help realize key actions set out in AHMA’s Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy (URNIHS).
Newly created National Indigenous Housing Coalition to address crisis and funding
December 7, 2022
A recent landmark alliance between nation-wide Indigenous housing providers was reached marking significant advancement toward self-determination. Representatives from various Indigenous-led non-profit organizations across the country met to address a For Indigenous, By Indigenous (FIBI) approach to housing. The result is a Coalition of experts dedicated to solving the national Indigenous housing crisis.
The National Urban, Rural, Northern Indigenous Housing Coalition (NURNIHC) is formed to provide FIBI housing solutions for urban, rural, and northern Indigenous peoples, to support each other, and to provide leadership and expertise to government for the well-being of all Indigenous people. The Coalition prioritizes housing as a human right and is unified by its goal to achieve a National Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy that is fully Indigenous-led. The national strategy will be implemented to meet the housing needs of current and future generations.
Read the full media release here.
Read the National Coalition Declaration here.
Read the Letter to Federal Government here.
Affordable Housing Conference Explores Indigenous Housing Justice
November 1, 2022
Return to in-person conference in Vancouver will focus on uncovering housing solutions amid challenges of climate change, overdose deaths, racism and homelessness.
Unceded traditional territories of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, Vancouver BC (Nov. 2, 2022) – Housing advocates, policymakers, leaders and frontline providers will convene this month to explore new ways to deliver safe, secure and affordable housing across the province. The Housing Central Conference, running Nov 21 to 23, will highlight innovative ideas and new solutions that address an array of urgent housing needs.
Through keynote speakers, education sessions and other activities, delegates will participate in discussions about how we can move forward equitably in tackling the housing and homelessness crises that are disproportionately affecting Indigenous Peoples in B.C. and across Canada. The conference is jointly hosted by the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA), BC Non-Profit Housing Association (BCNPHA), and the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC).
Read the full press release here >
AHMA emphasizes Indigenous Strategy in response to Eby’s housing platform
October 3, 2022
Putting affordable housing at the top of the agenda is an inescapable necessity to alleviate the suffering caused by housing insecurity and homelessness. AHMA’s Urban, Rural and Northern Indigenous Housing Strategy for BC plays a major role in responding equitably to the housing crisis, which disproportionately impacts Indigenous Peoples.
The Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) has developed an expert-driven, research-based Indigenous Housing Strategy for BC and David Eby’s recognition that the housing crisis will not be solved without adequate Indigenous representation is a step in the right direction.
“It is widely known that the playing field is not even. Indigenous people have a different socio-economic reality, which requires a more holistic and committed response. AHMA is supportive of the equity-based approach Eby is proposing, keeping in mind that Indigenous rights, Indigenous leadership, and the inclusion of AHMA’s strategy, which offers a proven For Indigenous, By Indigenous approach, is critical to success,” says AHMA CEO, Margaret Pfoh.
AHMA and FNHIC-BC thank Shayne Ramsay
September 6, 2022
The Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) and the First Nations Housing and Infrastructure Council of BC (FNHIC-BC) would like to thank outgoing BC Housing CEO Shayne Ramsay for his tireless efforts to tackle the housing problems across BC, including his work to address the long-standing and chronic housing issues facing Indigenous Peoples. Under his leadership, BC Housing worked with Indigenous partners to deliver housing on reserve lands and worked with AHMA to deliver housing in urban areas.
For 22 years of AHMA’s 25 years leading Indigenous housing solutions in BC, Shane Ramsay was a tremendous ally. He supported AHMA’s journey of self-determination, and he was the first Provincial leader to demonstrate support for Indigenous justice in housing through action, with no road map and no precedence. He led with openness and integrity and was always available for honest and frank conversations when needed. That’s reconciliACTION.
Read full farewell statement here >
Solution to Downtown Eastside Encampments Requires Fulfilling Government Commitments to Human Rights and Reconciliation
August 16, 2022
In response to the ongoing atrocities taking place in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) is once again calling on all three levels of government to honour their commitments to human rights and reconciliation.
Community leaders stand together in Kelowna to spark understanding, support, and action in the prioritization of Indigenous Housing
July 28, 2022
Traditional Territory of Okanagan Nation – Community leaders stood today demonstrating support for safe, affordable Indigenous housing.
Community leaders stand together in Cranbrook to spark understanding, support, and action in the prioritization of Indigenous Housing
July 25, 2022
Traditional Territory of Ktunaxa Nation– Community leaders stood today demonstrating support for safe, affordable Indigenous housing.
Housing, homelessness and poverty emerge as top issues for voters heading into B.C. civic elections this fall
June 22, 2022
As voters prepare to go to the polls for local elections this fall and candidates across the province announce their intention to seek office, a new survey done by Research Co. for BC Non-Profit Housing Association, the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC and the Aboriginal Housing Management Association finds housing, homelessness and poverty are the dominant issues for British Columbians regardless of where in the province they live.
Attention AHMA Members: Northern Access Round by The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
June 7, 2022
AHMA is pleased to provide your organization with important information on the recently announced Northern Access Round by The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. A summary of the application and eligibility requirements has been prepared.