Driving Indigenous housing and infrastructure forwards

Uncovering and leveraging funding streams to build opportunity

First Nations – Canada’s fastest growing demographic – are working to address housing an infrastructure needs that have been building for generations. The Assembly of First Nations has identified an estimated $350-billion infrastructure gap, including $44 billion in housing alone. This gap reflects both the scale of the need and the opportunity to work together on meaningful, lasting solutions.

While progress is being made, the path to implementation can be complex. Funding processes are often detailed and highly competitive, which can challenge timelines and make it difficult for communities to fully focus on their long-term goals. Many Nations are navigating these systems while also maintaining day-to-day priorities with limited staff and resources.

Experience has shown that when planning is proactive and community-led, infrastructure projects deliver greater value and resilience. This is where strong partnerships make a difference – by aligning funding pathways, building local capacity, and creative supportive frameworks that honour Indigenous leadership and vision.

By working in step with First Nations’ priorities, governments, funders, and industry partners there is ample opportunity to create infrastructure systems that are sustainable, culturally grounded, and designed to serve communities for generations to come.

Common challenges

Internally

• With small teams and many shifting community needs and priorities, there is often limited capacity to manage multiple applications or revenue streams.
• Current needs assessments, asset management, or capital planning may be lacking, preventing leadership from knowing where best to put resources needed to make informed decisions about funding opportunities.
• In many cases, communities are making reactive applications under time pressure instead of proactively building application strategies.
• Gaps in governance, procurement, or interdepartmental coordination can make it difficult to assess the best opportunities and know where best to allocate valuable resources first.

Externally

• Overlapping or misaligned programs create inefficiencies and prevent many First Nations from accessing the best opportunities for their needs.
• Short funding windows and narrow eligibility create a barrier to entry for many First Nations communities.
• Risk-transfer and heavy compliance burdens lead to missed opportunities, delayed projects, and reactive decision-making.
• The lack of government coordination for long-term investment makes it difficult to execute multi-year capital projects or stack funding resources, straining capacity and causing projects to stall or fail altogether.

Turning reactive into strategic housing plans

Many First Nations rely on short-term, project-specific grants that are competitive, reactive, and unpredictable. By shifting to a proactive approach to housing plans, First Nations gain autonomy and enable communities to complete transformational development projects.

Clear housing needs create strong foundations

• Housing plans backed by solid needs assessments bring clarity and focus to planning efforts

Integrated community planning drives alignment

• Land Use Plans and Community Plans support coordinated housing and infrastructure development

Stronger governance reduces deliver risk

• Improvements in policy and governance structures enhance confidence from funders and partners

Capital forecasting strengthens funding proposals

• Anticipating future needs improves access to layered funding

Planning puts Nations in the driver’s seat

• Well-prepared communities shape the funding conversation – rather than simply responding to it

Success story: Sts’ailes Nation

Sts’ailes has taken a proactive, multi-pronged approach to advancing housing and infrastructure by implementing several planning tools and frameworks that guide projects from vision to completion.

Through a Master Plan Feasibility Study to assess their capital needs, the Nation established a 40-year Capital Plan – a roadmap for long-term investments that ensure each project aligns with community goals and priorities. This plan spans the full range of capital needs – from economic development to buildings, facilities, and linear infrastructure – and provides a clear foundation for decision-making.

Working alongside trusted technical services providers, Sts’ailes identified, planned, and costed priority capital projects. This not only unlocked new funding opportunities but also demonstrated readiness for diverse financing pathways.

By shifting from a reactive, project-by-project approach to funding opportunities to a proactive, strategic capital planning process, the Nation strengthened its ability to shape its own future.

For First Nations in B.C. and across Canada, housing and infrastructure development is about more than bricks and mortar – it’s about growing Nation capacity, supporting self-determination, and building long-term sustainability through collaboration.

With success rooted in clear priorities, strong governance, and strategic direction, more communities are seeing funding translate into tangible, lasting change.

MNP’s team of experienced advisors works in partnership with dozens of First Nations across B.C., bringing deep understanding of the opportunities, challenges, and aspirations that guide housing and infrastructure development – now and for generations to come.