People Living Away From Home Most reports show that approximately 50% of First Nations people do not live in their communities. There is not good research explaining what drives people away, but some of the reasons are obvious and by choice—jobs, education, marriage, adventure, etc. Other reasons are not by choice—residential schools, the foster system, unsafe family situations, and the lack of adequate housing. In the engagement session participants shared the strong message that people want to be connected to their community and that there is a profound sense of dislocation when people relocate to urban settings. Throughout the feedback from all the sessions, participants also stated that First Nations leadership are seeking to reconnect with all their citizens and to begin rebuilding their communities, starting with their people. While the desire to “move home” is strong the options are few. One of the keys is the absence of housing opportunities. Participants were hopeful that a First-Nations-led housing system would provide new ways to acquire new types of housing such as tiny homes and support to build your own home. Others, who do not seek to return to their communities permanently, long to stay at home during cultural events and food gathering activities, which gave rise to ideas of temporary housing in First Nations as a way to revive the culture and the population.
Recommendations • • • •
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Keep a central registry of young people aging out of care so they do not fall through the cracks for housing Research the reasons people are living away from home • What role does housing play? • How has the absence of housing affected community well-being? Design temporary and seasonal housing options • Rental cabins • Bed & Breakfasts Increase housing options to accommodate specific populations with specific housing challenges so they are not forced to move away • Safe houses • Elder housing • Housing for people with disabilities • Housing that does not discriminate
