Homelessness Project
The Need
To amplify the narratives of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals who have experienced homelessness in Ottawa.
What We Did
The Ottawa Aboriginal Coalition initiated a community-driven video project to explore the lived experiences of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals facing homelessness in our community. This initiative led to several policy changes at the City of Ottawa aimed at reducing barriers for Indigenous peoples in accessing Housing First support and housing allowances.
The OAC acknowledges the invaluable support provided by the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres for this video project.
Infographics & Video
Project Timeline
Initiation
In 2017, the OAC commenced a community-driven video project to document the experiences of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit individuals who have experienced homelessness, along with the Housing First services available to them.
Storytelling
We had the privilege of sharing the stories of four Indigenous community members who have faced homelessness in Ottawa. The film, "A Home of Our Own," was screened at the OAC Community Gathering in February 2018.
Presentation
The video was showcased at the National Conference on Ending Homelessness in Hamilton in November 2018, alongside the research team from the Ne-Chee Friendship Centre in Kenora.
Where We Are Now
As a direct outcome of this project, several policy changes have been implemented at the City of Ottawa. These include revisions to housing allowance eligibility criteria and enhancements to the Service Prioritization Decision Assistance Tool. These changes aim to significantly reduce the barriers Indigenous individuals encounter when seeking housing support.
