Saugeen First Nation Housing Plan

Saugeen First Nation partnered with TDL in 2025 to engage community members in a dialogue about priorities, challenges, and needs within the current housing system. The project began with the goal of working toward an understanding of community priorities for housing that could be used to inform a strategy for change moving forward. The project is ongoing and takes a holistic approach, where housing is understood as more than just the provision of shelter; it is critical to both the lived experience of occupants and broader community wellness.  

Guided by curiosity, the project began by asking: 

Who is most in need of housing in Saugeen First Nation? What types and tenures of housing are needed? What are the biggest housing challenges faced by community members? What steps could be taken to improve housing in the short-term? What is the community’s vision for housing in the future? What are the community’s existing strengths? What does home mean to members of Saugeen First Nation?

Who is involved?

The project is ongoing, and has involved relationship building and engagement with a diversity of community members, Elders, and housing and healthcare professionals across Saugeen First Nation. The project looks to bring a wholistic and inclusive approach to the discussion of housing in the community. 

What is TDL’s role?

TDL is responsible for designing and conducting several months of engagement with community members across Saugeen First Nation. The TDL team will synthesize community feedback into a housing plan to inform the future direction of housing work in Saugeen First Nation in a manner that reflects community-identified priorities and needs. 

What types of engagement occurred? 

Engagement is ongoing and has ranged from discussions with Elders about the meaning of housing and home, to written activities with community members intended to identify the key principles that should guide housing in Saugeen First Nation into the future.

Project Partners