Indigenous Youth Housing Strategy

For Indigenous Youth, By Indigenous Youth (FIYBIY) Housing Solutions That Work. The Indigenous Youth Housing Strategy (IYHS) empowers young Indigenous people (YIPs) to co-create housing solutions tailored to community, culture, and needs. 

Read the Strategy

Whos is the Strategy for?

Engagement Framework 

We call for the housing, education, health, climate, and justice sectors to implement and adapt the IYHS engagement framework in their work with Indigenous youth. Grounded in the Six R’s, our approach is values-based, which fosters trust, accountability, and meaningful collaboration across all sectors.

Five FIYBIY Housing Models 

We call on all levels of government, municipal, provincial, federal, and First Nations to use the FIYBIY housing models as a starting point for planning, strategizing, and visioning for YIPs’ housing.  

Why This Matters

Colonization and intergenerational trauma continue to impact young Indigenous people in profound ways, leading to overrepresentation in government care, experiences of homelessness and substance use. Here are some statistics to demonstrate the need for For Indigenous Youth, By Indigenous Youth housing (FIYBIY) solutions:  

  • Approximately 67% of children and youth in MCFD care are Indigenous. 
  • “Youth feel current systems focus too much on medication and not enough on housing, work, or the deeper causes of substance use.” – BC Centre on Substance Use 
  • Young people experience “hidden homelessness,” meaning they are couch surfing, staying with friends or family, sleeping in cars, abandoned buildings, or under bridges and are often missed in data collection methods focused on homelessness, like the PIT count. 

This is a one-of-a-kind strategy that represents a shift in power for young voices to design housing systems and models meant to serve them. AHMA is leading by example through centring young Indigenous excellence in every aspect of the IYHS’ development and calling for special attention to accelerate the number of culturally supportive youth housing options.

Phase Two with AHMA Members

Phase two of the IYHS is about AHMA working in partnership with our membership to pilot the five FIYIBIY housing models across BC. We understand our members are passionately committed to their community’s YIPs and want to offer them the best housing options. Our role will be to support government relations, fund mobilization, and ensure youth representation at all levels of the process.  

Phase Two Advocacy

CMHC funding request

Letter to Federal Government

Endorsements

  • Lil Miichief Otipemisiwak
  • First Nations Health Authority
  • Citaapi Mahtii Housing Society
  • Cariboo Friendship Society
  • BC Housing
  • Salish Lelum Elders & Youth Housing
  • Hiye yu Lelum/House of Friendship
  • Kekinow Native Housing Society
  • Conayt Friendship Society
  • Mamele’awt Qweesome/To’o Housing Society
  • Aboriginal Mother’s Centre Society
  • Vernon Native Housing Society
  • North Okanagan Friendship Centre
  • Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George 
  • Fort Nelson Aboriginal Friendship Centre