Need for housing in First Nations, as with the rest of Canada has long been conceptualized as a problem either of supply or affordability. Learning Together creates community-specific needs assessment frameworks which move beyond measuring the number of units needed in a community to understanding the experience of housing need, and community member preferences in solutions. Recognizing that each First Nation has specific housing goals, the survey is designed in collaboration with local partners to be congruent with local understandings of the role which housing plays within larger frameworks of community development and wellness. 

Who was involved?

Eabaemetoong First Nation and Nibinamik First Nation both undertook housing needs assessments. Community members and leadership collaborated to develop metrics through workshops. Additionally, Nibinamik First Nation translated their housing survey into Oji-Cree.  Data collection was completed by community facilitators and TDL team members. 

What was TDL’s role?

TDL designed and developed engagement and data collection tools in collaboration with community members. TDL led analysis of survey results and worked with community leadership to interpret data.

What was learned?

Community-led housing needs assessment expands the metrics used for analysis by allowing for greater inclusion, centring lived experience and changing the scale housing is examined.

From the design and development of a data collection tool to collection and analysis of data, all elements of housing needs assessments are co-created. Data collection is complemented by a series of workshops which vision solutions to the problems identified through the data collection tool; demonstrating the focus on creating change. Community-specific metrics, and related actions plans for change create a tool self-determination, allows for localized evidence-based decision making and the application of scarce resources to community-identified needs.