Supporting Indigenous-led Non-market Housing in Calgary
Supporting Indigenous-led Non-market Housing in Calgary Maa’too’maa’taapii Aoko’iyii’piaya
The City of Calgary is taking a major step forward in its commitment to reconciliation and equity through Maa’too’maa’taapii Aoko’iyii’piaya, a program that supports Indigenous-led non-market housing solutions in Calgary.
The program is grounded in the principle of “For Indigenous, By Indigenous”, addressing deep-rooted systemic barriers that Indigenous communities face in accessing housing, land, and capital. As a result of systemic barriers, colonial policies, intergenerational trauma, and a lack of non-market housing, more than 3,800 Indigenous households are currently in core housing need in Calgary.
Maa’too’maa’taapii Aoko’iyii’piaya was designed in partnership with the Housing Solutions Elders Advisory Committee, and responds to these urgent needs with $30 million in funding across two streams to support non-market housing projects:
- Stream 1: Engagement and Planning Funding - up to $150,000 over 2 years to eligible organizations for engagement and planning activities related to non-market housing for Indigenous people living in Calgary.
- Stream 2: Building and Construction Funding - a contribution of up to 40% of eligible capital costs for Indigenous-led non-market housing developments in Calgary.
The City’s goal is not only to increase the supply of non-market housing but to support housing that is designed, delivered, and owned by and for Indigenous Peoples, ultimately redefining what housing can look like when it is rooted in Indigenous knowledge, values, and self-determination.
Funding applications will open August 25, 2025.
Events
Virtual Information Session
Date: Monday, August 25th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
The Virtual Information Session will provide an introduction and overview of the program, outline how the application process will work, and there will be an opportunity for City staff to answer your questions about the program.
Who can attend the Virtual Information Session? Prospective applicants who are interested in learning more about the program are invited to attend.
How can I register? If you are interested in attending the Virtual Information Session, please contact IndigenousHousing@Calgary.ca for more information.
Funding Application Workshop
Date: Friday, September 12th
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The Funding Application Workshop will include presentations on existing non-market housing developments in Calgary, as well as more interactive small group exercises to share ideas and facilitate potential partnerships. The City will share examples of what an application could look like, and will answer questions on the application process. The Funding Application Workshop will primarily focus on the application process for Stream 2.
Who can attend the Funding Application Workshop? Indigenous Nations and Indigenous organizations who are interested in submitting an application are invited to attend. We strongly encourage all applicants who will be submitting an application to Stream 2 to attend the Funding Application Workshop.
How can I register? If you are interested in attending the Funding Application Workshop, please contact IndigenousHousing@Calgary.ca for more information. Please note that this funding program and the workshop are exclusively for Indigenous Nations and Indigenous-led organizations.
Meet the Housing Solutions Elders Advisory Committee
The Elders Advisory Committee was established in September 2024 to provide guidance to City administration across a broad range of priorities, including ceremony, community engagement and program design. The Committee is comprised of Elders from Treaty 7 First Nations and the Otipemisiwak Métis Government, and includes:
- Jackie Bromley (Kainai Nation) - Committee member since September 2024
- Carol Wings (Kainai Nation) - Committee member since September 2024
- Diane Meguinis (Tsuut’ina Nation) - Committee member since September 2024
- Grant Britton (Otipemisiwak Métis Government /Métis Nation of Alberta) - Committee member since February 2025
- Mina Powderface (Stoney Nakoda) - Committee member since May 2025
- Ollie Benjamin (Stoney Nakoda) - Committee member since May 2025
- Clement Leather (Siksika Nation) - Committee member since July 2025
About the name and graphic
The name, meaning “Maa’too’maa’taapii Aoko’iyii’piaya, was gifted in ceremony by Jackie Bromley along with the Housing Solutions Elders Advisory Committee.
- Maa’too’maa’taapii - Indigenous First Nation
- Aoko’iyii’piaya – Housing
It was important for this program to carry a Blackfoot name to embody the “For Indigenous, By Indigenous” principle at its core.
The logo for the program includes a feather, a sweetgrass braid, the four directions and the silhouette of Calgary. The logo was designed by Indigenous artist Marion Green.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can apply for this program?
This program is exclusively for Treaty 7 First Nation Band Councils or Tribal Councils, the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Districts 5 & 6, and Indigenous-led organizations. Indigenous-led organizations refers to Indigenous non-profits in Calgary who have at least 51% Indigenous representation on their Board, or non-profits who meet specific eligibility criteria (including having Indigenous representation at the executive level) and are determined by the Housing Solutions Elders Advisory Committee to be Indigenous-led.
Why is this funding program only for Indigenous Nations and Indigenous-led organizations?
Indigenous Nations have long been denied the resources, land, and capital needed to develop non-market housing in Calgary. This systemic exclusion, compounded by intergenerational underfunding and colonial policies, has left thousands of Indigenous households in core housing need. Indigenous tenants continue to face racism and discrimination from landlords and housing providers, making the need for safe, culturally supportive housing more urgent than ever. This program marks an important step in moving from exclusion to empowering Indigenous-led solutions.
Where does the funding for this program come from?
The Home Is Here Housing Strategy identified $30M in capital funding to organizations prioritizing specific housing needs to build housing for Indigenous and equity-deserving populations (Outcome 4B1). Given the significant overrepresentation of Indigenous people in core housing need in Calgary, and the historic denial of resources, land and capital to Indigenous Nations and Indigenous organizations to develop non-market housing in Calgary, The City allocated this $30M to the Maa’too’maa’taapii Aoko’iyii’piaya program to support Indigenous-led non-market housing developments.
Will operational costs be covered?
No. Funding covers eligible capital and planning costs, but not ongoing operations.
Can Indigenous Nations or Indigenous organizations partner with non-Indigenous non-profits?
Yes, so long as the project meets the criteria set out in the Terms of Reference. Projects must be Indigenous-led, and Indigenous-owned. Projects must be submitted by a representative of an Indigenous Nation or Indigenous organization. Projects submitted by organizations who do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be considered for funding.
Will Indigenous Nations or Indigenous organizations be able to access support throughout the application process?
Yes. An information session will be hosted on August 25, an in-person funding application workshop will be hosted on September 12th, and applicants will be able to access direct one-on-one support from the Project Manager for Indigenous Housing throughout their application.
Will there be future rounds of this program?
Currently, the program is limited to $30M in funding. While we acknowledge that this is insufficient to meet the full scope of the housing need Indigenous households are experiencing in Calgary, this is the City’s largest ever investment in Indigenous housing.
Ultimately, City Council will determine if there are future rounds of this program. Housing Solutions will prepare a budget request for this program as for the 2027-2030 budget cycle. This request will build on the successes and lessons learned from the 2025 intake of the Maa’too’maa’taapii Aoko’iyii’piaya program.
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