SUILC’s focus is to change the system and create an environment that incentivizes and nurtures the development of Indigenous housing in Surrey
The current system of social housing development is not working for Indigenous people in Surrey. As a collective, SUILC’s focus is to change the system and create an environment that incentivizes and nurtures the development of Indigenous housing in Surrey. The Surrey Urban Indigenous Leadership Committee (SUILC) has identified several key needs and priorities to provide adequate housing to Surrey’s Indigenous population:
- The Skookum Housing Solutions Roadmap identifies a need for at least 1,880 deeply affordable rental housing units for Indigenous households in Surrey and a targeted initiative to create at least 772 units of deeply affordable housing for single-parent Indigenous families by 2031.
- Understanding the Housing Experiences of Indigenous Households in Surrey Housing Report outlines the need to prioritize affordable rental housing for families, especially single-parent families, with cultural and childcare supports as well as culturally appropriate housing opportunities for young people, Elders, single adults, and multi-generational families that are connected to culture and community.
- Finding Our Way Home: Research Study identifies that at least 635 Indigenous individuals are estimated to have experienced homelessness in Surrey as of 2020. In order to respond to this, immediate coordinated action is needed by the federal, provincial, and municipal governments to create deeply affordable housing, with and without supports, in Surrey to offer an exit strategy for Indigenous people experiencing homelessness and to prevent individuals and households from falling into homelessness. There is also a need to create and implement a strategy to increase local Indigenous capacity to develop affordable housing in Surrey.
- SUILC’s Indigenous Gathering Place in Surrey report outlines the need for a purpose-built Indigenous centre in Surrey that can accommodate community support, cultural events, ceremonies and services.
Achieving SUILC’s priorities for housing, services, and a gathering space requires the commitment and involvement of multiple stakeholders and the alignment of project partners, land, regulations, incentives, and funding. This Action Plan provides a framework to guide collective initiatives through a prioritized action list that identifies the roles of stakeholders and partners.
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