Introduction
Our Ministry’s mandate is to increase the supply of safe, affordable, and culturally grounded housing for Métis Citizens across British Columbia through strategic partnerships, capital development, and the integration of Métis design and governance principles.
We are working to ensure a safe place for every Métis to call home. Through targeted research and engagement, we identify the housing needs of Métis in B.C. Our approach to developing culturally relevant, affordable housing means we can support our most vulnerable Citizens. This includes Elders and seniors—we want to ensure the opportunity to age-in-place with dignity.
Building safe, secure, and affordable housing
We aim to reduce Métis core housing needs in B.C. by 50% over 5 years. We also strive to prevent homelessness and support those who are impacted.
We welcome your ideas, suggestions and feedback. You can reach out to housing@mnbc.ca.
Key Initiatives
Housing Needs Assessment
Métis Nation British Columbia (MNBC) aims to reduce Métis core housing needs in B.C. by 50% over five years. To measure progress towards this goal, MNBC undertook a baseline housing needs assessment in 2021.
Our findings indicate that Métis households in B.C. core housing needs are at higher rates (17%) than the overall B.C. population (15%). More specifically, Métis core housing needs are at the highest rates in Region 2 (Lower Mainland: 25%), Region 1 (Vancouver Island and Qathet: 17%), and Region 3 (Thompson and Okanagan: 15%).
Architectural Design Guidelines
This is the first iteration of Métis architectural guidelines, developed in 2023 through a collaboration between MNBC, Métis architects David T. Fortin and Jason Surkan, and Métis landscape architect, Terence Radford. It explores traditional Métis housing, cultural design principles, and the relationships between people, place, and the built environment. Grounded in research and Métis perspectives, these guidelines provide a foundation for culturally relevant and respectful design. They also highlight the importance and distinctiveness of Métis-focused architecture in shaping future MNBC projects.
Facilities Master Plan
In 2021, Canada and Métis Nation British Columbia signed an Indigenous Community Infrastructure Funding Agreement. As part of this commitment, MNBC began collecting information on the infrastructure needs of Métis communities across B.C. Engagement events began in the winter of 2022 and spring of 2023, culminating in a final report received in January 2024.
Commitment to Community-Centric Planning
MNBC is dedicated to accurately reflecting and addressing the infrastructure needs of Métis communities through comprehensive and statistically significant engagement. This ensures our planning is genuinely community-driven and responsive to the needs of Métis citizens across British Columbia.
Strategic Alignment and Investment
The Facilities Master Plan will ensure all infrastructure investments and developments support our long-term vision and goals.
Transparency and Future-Focused Development
MNBC was committed to maintaining transparency and accountability throughout the planning and implementation process. Engagement events took place in the winter of 2022 and spring of 2023, with a final report on the engagements received in January 2024. This engagement ensures the forthcoming Facilities Master Plan will focus on sustainable and meaningful development that addresses the unique challenges and opportunities for Métis communities and sets a foundation for a targeted Housing Strategy.
Learn More
Housing and Social Infrastructure Development Projects
Building safe, secure, and affordable housing
We are working to ensure a safe place for every Métis to call home. Through targeted research and engagement, we identify the housing needs of Métis in B.C. Our approach to developing culturally relevant, affordable housing means we can support our most vulnerable Citizens. This includes Elders and seniors—we want to ensure the opportunity to age-in-place with dignity.
View our current housing projects below.