The Business of Housing and Infrastructure Summary
In the mainstream the housing and infrastructure sectors are big business. It is estimated that the housing sector alone is responsible for generating 15% of Canada’s GDP. Housing in the mainstream is about creating jobs, developing businesses, and generating wealth. Housing is the primary wealth generator for most Canadian families. In First Nations housing and infrastructure have been about delivering government programs and managing poverty. The feedback indicates that it is time to change that situation. Participants are looking to the Authority to implement new financial and management tools and programs that enable First Nations to engage in the business of housing and infrastructure in a way that not only improves well-being but also creates wealth. In the past, there was a government initiative to encourage First Nations to approach housing as a business. It focused on training First Nations housing managers to implement rental regimes and client-based activities in their delivery of housing programs. Participants acknowledged the usefulness of some of that approach and saw it as a first step. However, much of the feedback looks beyond program delivery to building businesses in the housing and infrastructure sector. The general consensus of the participants is that while many mainstream professionals and housing and infrastructure businesses have made vast sums of money on working in First Nations, it is time to bring some of that business to and keep the wealth in First Nations.
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