Sarah Woodgate - Calgary Housing Company

Through Calgary Housing Company, The City of Calgary provides homes to almost 25,000 low and moderate income Calgarians on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot people, the Nakoda people of the Stoney Nation, the Beaver people of the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Metis Nation of Alberta, Region Three. Supported by The City’s Corporate Affordable Housing Strategy, we build relationships, partner and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver affordable housing solutions that suit the local context.

Our data shows an overrepresentation of Indigenous households in need of affordable housing, and this need will continue to rise. It is critical that we collaborate with our local Indigenous communities and stakeholders to identify and deliver affordable housing solutions that address gaps and challenges, and are culturally relevant and appropriate.

We are at the beginning of our journey with truth and reconciliation. As part of this journey, we are co-creating an environment where Indigenous leaders and stakeholders can come together to identify what The City’s role should be in the delivery of affordable housing for Indigenous Calgarians. Principles of reconciliation such as co-creation, respect, inclusion, mutual trust, and truth-telling are embedded in our approach to creating this equitable space. To move forward on our journey, we must come up with meaningful and innovative solutions that are supported and driven by the community.  We have much to do, and we have much to learn.