Report on Indigenous Housing Retrofits and Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Addressing Housing Needs Through Sustainable Practices

The coordination of housing retrofit projects within First Nations communities presents significant logistical and administrative challenges. These projects often involve a complex web of stakeholders, including multiple funders, First Nations leadership, local housing departments, and building trades, which can lead to considerable delays. This report details the efforts of organizations like Community Power and the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) to navigate these challenges, with a significant focus on aligning their work with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Project Implementation and Contributions to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

Efforts to improve housing in Indigenous communities are central to achieving SDG 11, which aims to make human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

• Innovative Solutions in Remote Areas: Community Power, a division of Kambo Energy Group, has been involved in over 150 projects. In one instance, a 23-home renovation in a remote B.C. community demonstrated innovative problem-solving. To overcome the logistical challenge of housing construction workers, the team salvaged and renovated a house slated for demolition, using it as crew quarters. This strategy not only saved costs but also added a rehabilitated home to the community’s housing stock, directly contributing to sustainable community development.
• Cultural Integration: The AHMA emphasizes incorporating cultural elements into projects, moving beyond superficial treatments. For a four-storey apartment in Vancouver, the association integrated culturally appropriate colours and design into the building envelope and featured Indigenous art in the lobby. This approach fosters a sense of identity and belonging, key components of an inclusive and sustainable community.
• Community Hubs: By leveraging grants and incentives for system upgrades, the AHMA transformed a building’s amenity room into a cultural hub for residents, enhancing social cohesion and community resilience.

Advancing SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

The retrofitting projects have a direct impact on the health and energy security of residents, aligning with SDG 3 and SDG 7.

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being:
   • Mold is a common health hazard in northern homes, often exacerbated by extreme climates, poor ventilation, and overcrowding. Energy retrofits must be carefully managed to prevent sealing in moisture and worsening mold issues.
   • By properly renovating homes to improve ventilation and eliminate mold, these projects create healthier living environments.
   • As stated by Trevor Norris of AHMA, physical and mental health starts at home. Combining energy efficiency with cultural improvements creates healthier, happier living spaces.
2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy:
   • The primary goal of these retrofits is to improve energy efficiency in homes.
   • Sealing building envelopes and upgrading mechanical/electrical systems, windows, and doors reduce energy consumption.
   • This leads to lower utility costs for residents, making housing more affordable and contributing to the goal of ensuring access to affordable and clean energy.

Addressing SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) Through SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

The initiatives are fundamentally aimed at reducing systemic inequalities faced by Indigenous peoples, a goal that requires robust and effective partnerships.

• Focus on Reducing Inequalities (SDG 10): The work of both Community Power and AHMA is exclusively focused on Indigenous communities. AHMA specifically targets the off-reserve Indigenous population—which constitutes about 85% of Indigenous peoples in Canada—who often have fewer funding options. These targeted efforts are crucial for addressing housing disparities.
• Complex Partnerships (SDG 17):
  • Successful project execution relies on navigating partnerships between First Nations leadership, government funders (like Indigenous Services Canada, BC Housing, and CMHC), utility companies, and private corporations.
  • The “never-ending challenge in stacking funding” and overcoming “bureaucratic red tape delays” highlight the complexities of these multi-stakeholder collaborations.
  • The severe consequences of partnership failures were noted when a seven-month funding delay resulted in one house becoming uninhabitable, another burning down, and a third being abandoned, underscoring the critical need for efficient and supportive partnerships to protect lives and advance sustainable development.

Identified Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Specific SDG Targets

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.
     
     The article directly links poor housing conditions to health problems. It highlights that mold is a “common problem in northern homes” and can become “a true health concern for the residents” if building envelopes are sealed improperly during retrofits. The article also notes that overcrowding contributes to mold, and Trevor Norris states, “health, both physical and mental, starts at home.” The goal of the projects is to create a “healthier, happier living space.”

2. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

   • Target 7.3: By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
     
     The core of the projects discussed is “energy retrofit” and “energy efficiency.” The article describes a “23-home renovation and energy retrofit program” and mentions that Community Power’s work involves energy retrofits. The AHMA also uses grants for “mechanical/electrical systems and window and door upgrades” to address energy efficiency.

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of… ethnicity, origin… or other status.
     
     The article’s entire focus is on improving housing for a specific, often marginalized group: Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Metis, and Inuit). It highlights the unique challenges they face, such as the fact that off-reserve housing has “fewer funding options.” The overall goal is to “improve the quality of life of Indigenous peoples living in below-market housing,” thereby promoting their social inclusion and well-being.

4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.
     
     This is the central theme. The article discusses the pressing need for housing, efforts to renovate homes, and the consequences of delays, where one house became “uninhabitable.” It addresses safety through tackling issues like mold and affordability by working with “below-market housing.” The act of salvaging a house slated for demolition to add “another renovated home to the community” directly addresses the need for adequate housing.
   • Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.
     
     The article emphasizes the importance of community involvement, stating that “Resident engagement early in the planning stage is paramount.” It also describes the complexity of project planning, which involves coordinating with the “chief and council,” the “local housing department,” and multiple funders, pointing to the need for integrated planning.
   • Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.
     
     The article highlights the importance of going beyond basic retrofits to include cultural aspects. Trevor Norris notes the need for “incorporating cultural elements and features into projects that go beyond superficial treatment.” Examples include replacing a building envelope “incorporating culturally appropriate colours and design,” featuring “Indigenous art in the front lobby,” and redesigning an amenity room to turn it “into a cultural hub for residents.”

5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.
     
     The article details the complex web of partnerships required for these projects. It mentions that a single project might have “several funders, each with its own requirements.” The Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) works with partners like “BC Housing, the CMHC and various utility companies and private corporations.” The challenges of these partnerships are also noted, including “bureaucratic red tape delays” and the “never-ending challenge in stacking funding.”

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. For Target 11.1 (Adequate, Safe, and Affordable Housing)

   • Number of housing units renovated or retrofitted: The article mentions a “23-home renovation and energy retrofit” and over “150 projects” undertaken by Community Power.
   • Reduction in uninhabitable homes: The article implies this by noting that project delays led to one house becoming “uninhabitable,” suggesting that successful projects prevent this outcome.
   • Increase in housing stock: The team “salvaged a house slated for demolition” and renovated it, which “added another renovated home to the community.”

2. For Target 3.9 (Health and Well-being)

   • Prevalence of mold in homes: The article identifies mold as a “common problem” and a “true health concern,” implying that its removal or prevention is a key measure of success.
   • Resident well-being: A stated goal is “creating a healthier, happier living space,” which could be measured through resident surveys or feedback on physical and mental health.

3. For Target 7.3 (Energy Efficiency)

   • Number of homes with energy efficiency upgrades: This is a direct measure of the work being done, such as the “23-home… energy retrofit” and upgrades to “mechanical/electrical systems and window and door.”

4. For Target 11.4 (Cultural Heritage)

   • Number of projects incorporating cultural elements: The article provides specific examples, such as the use of “culturally appropriate colours and design” and “Indigenous art.”
   • Creation of dedicated cultural spaces: The transformation of an amenity room into a “cultural hub” is a specific, measurable outcome.

5. For Target 11.3 (Participatory Planning)

   • Level of resident engagement: The article states that “Resident engagement early in the planning stage is paramount,” implying that the presence and quality of this engagement is an indicator of a well-managed project.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: canada.constructconnect.com