Thanks very much for for the question.
The for indigenous, by indigenous approach is one where 147 indigenous housing providers across Canada have come together and said, “This is what we want. We want to find solutions that work for our community.” They want solutions that aren't government driven, solutions that aren't trying to fit a round peg into a square hole. They want solutions that have indigenous housing providers from across Canada coming together and having a conversation, much like what was happening in Edmonton, on what the solutions are and how the indigenous world view, indigenous perspective and indigenous approach to housing and shelter can come together and be delivered by indigenous people, for indigenous people. They want indigenous communities holding those that are providing the housing accountable for how they're delivering those funds and for the results they're achieving.
For a long time we've accepted government programming to deliver housing. In the 1980s right through until 1993, there was the urban native housing program. It was a deep subsidy, 25% rent geared to income. It worked really well. It provided a great opportunity for a number of indigenous households to flourish in the urban area, to actually rise up, but there were never enough units.
I think the Parliamentary Budget Officer said there's a $636-million gap between indigenous and non-indigenous communities in regard to housing. The indigenous housing providers have solutions. They're not always within the confines of government programs.
We have extended families in some communities. In some communities, like in the north, there is a need to have a traditional room where they can prepare their traditional foods. This is very important, but not something that's thought of by non-indigenous people delivering a housing program.