Housing insecurity represents an undeniable social policy and human rights issue in northern Canada, where housing supply challenges undermine the health and wellbeing of many Indigenous communities. These conditions have inspired growing interest in community-led housing solutions, including locally designed and built housing, housing programs, and housing needs assessments. This session provides an opportunity for a round-table discussion of Indigenous community-led housing initiatives in Canada to better understand their scope, aims, and outcomes. Community-led housing can play a pivotal role not only to address chronic housing need, but to restore a sense of self-determination vis-a-vis housing. In this session, panelists will be invited to discuss community-led experiences with culturally relevant design and program development, sustainable building systems, and technical and governance innovations, and to reflect upon changes in the policy and funding landscape required to enable community-led housing.

Panel Discussion

Susane Havelka, Julia Chrsitensen, Mylène Riva, Eleanor Stephenson