DAY ONE

7:30 Registration Opens

8:30

Traditional Welcome

8:45

Opening Remarks from the Conference Co-Chair

9:00 CROSS COUNTRY COMPARISON

Examining How Funding, Resources and Strategies are Being Implemented

microphone-alt April Martel, Chief, Katlodeeche First Nation

Michael Sadler, Executive Director, First Nations Housing and Infrastructure Council (FNHIC)

• Structure differences and similarities in other provinces

• Analyzing the different resources and tools working right now to resolve issues

• Defining the provinces’ role in allocating provincial money and what the federal government’s role is with the matching those contributions

9:45

Provincial Homelessness Action Plan: Real World Strategies for Combating Housing Shortages and Homelessness

microphone-alt Cliff Grant, Director Strategic Relations, AHMA

Indigenous people living off reserve are experiencing homelessness at alarming rates. During this session, delegates will examine real-world initiatives to reduce poverty and homelessness for Indigenous people in urban settings.

• Community intervention program where the person feels welcome

• Re-Socializing with family and the community

• Developing programs for people to be reintegrated in the community – education, culture programs, employment strategies

• Overcoming barriers of homelessness in an urban setting

• Itemizing the criteria which lead to successful repatriation to a nation

• What does successful reintegration into a community look like and how can it be repeated

10:30 Morning Nutrient and Networking Break

10:45

Energy Efficiency Mentorship Opportunities and Building Indigenous Capacity for Energy Efficient Housing

microphone-alt Tom Welfare, Program Lead, Energy Efficiency Projects, Fraser Basin Council

Investment in energy-efficient housing is often considered the foundation for sustainable and resilient communities. Our audience will gain insight into the various co-benefits of energy efficiency and how the Energy Efficiency Mentorship Program supported Indigenous housing in a manner that empowers Indigenous mentorship and innovation.

11:30

How to Access Affordable, Indigenous-Led Housing: Funding Options, Process and Strategies for Success

microphone-alt Todd McBride, Director, Development Manager, Lu’ma Development Management

• Providing an overview of a number of the housing funding options available to First Nations and other Indigenous groups

• An overview of the process for applications for the options available

• Strategies to support the development of the best possible proposal and project

12:15 Networking Luncheon

1:30

Collecting Rental Arrears: How to Structure Collection Programs to Improve Participation and Re-Invest in Community

microphone-alt Audrey DeMarsico, Lawyer, Nelligan O’Brien Payne LLP

• Relying on an effective housing policy with an easily understood rent collection framework

• Employing a tenant relations officer that communicates, educates, and constantly sends reminders

• Lessons learned throughout the transitional period

• Framing rent collection as a contribution to infrastructure building for the community

• Examples of potential consequences for arrears, or failure to comply with a repayment agreement

ONBOARDING HOUSING POLICIES: How to Successfully Implement New Policies and Procedures and Achieve Community Support

microphone-alt Jordan Koe, Housing Manager, Tsawout First Nation

Discover the key ingredient for setting your new tenant up for success

• Use your housing policy as a tool to communicate expectations and rights within the community

• Diving deeper into a Maintenance fee policy

• Education on how building and energy codes are implemented

• Increasing rent and arrears collection importance through impactful communication strategies

• Discover financial literacy and accountability

3:00 Networking Nutrition and Networking Break

3:15 HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIOS and LIVE ANONYMOUS AUDIENCE POLLING

INTERACTIVE DISCUSSION: Drafting Your Self-Efficiency Template and Supporting a Local Tradesperson Approach to Home Maintenance

microphone-alt Michael Cameron, Dean Community Development, Assiniboine Community College

During this interactive session, speakers will address building a template to becoming self-efficient and work through hypothetical scenarios. Delegates are encouraged to participate in live anonymous audience polling.

• Implementing a workforce and exploring training opportunities

• Dig deep into long-term maintenance funding and determine how you can keep housing units from falling into despair

• Maintenance for homeowners, construction of homes

• Creating a supportive and productive environment

• Showcase skills training through building models

• Managing a home and understanding its foundation to ensure it lasts

• Explore different opportunities offering the Indigenous community trades training

• Encouraging tenants to make small repairs and report damage

• Talks about implementing a bi-law or policy that holds tenants accountable

• Educating members on housing policies and how rent money is reinvested in the community

• Allocating dollars to train individuals to build homes, expand housing and improve living conditions

4:00

Housing Data at Statistics Canada

microphone-alt Aaron Gorski, Analyst, Census, Housing Centre for Income and Socioeconomic Well-being Statistics, Statistics Canada

Zheren Hu, Senior Analyst, Canadian Housing Survey, Statistics Canada

Alexandria Melvin, Research Analyst, Centre for Indigenous Statistics and Partnerships, Statistics Canada

Hear highlights from the Census and Canadian Housing Survey’s (CHS) most recent releases and learn about the data you can use to help address housing challenges.

• Accessing Statistics Canada data and products online

• An introduction to the Census of Population and the Canadian Housing Survey

• Selected findings from the 2021 Census housing release and the 2021 Canadian Housing Survey release including:

» Ownership trends

» Housing affordability

» Housing need and satisfaction

• Housing conditions among First-Nations people: Findings from the 2021 Census and the 2018 Canadian Housing Survey

4:45

Closing Remarks from the Co-Chair and Conference Adjourns