Indigenous Nations Expand BC Housing, New Guidance Offered
Indigenous housing projects are reshaping BC’s rental market, and a new guide helps agents collaborate with First Nations developers for smoother deals.
Indigenous housing projects are reshaping British Columbia’s rental market, and a new initiative aims to help real‑estate professionals work more effectively with First Nations developers.
Agents now have a clear roadmap.
New resource bridges gap between agents and Indigenous developers
Greater Vancouver Realtors and the Real Estate Institute of BC have released a report and companion website titled Transforming Settings. The material was created after direct conversations with First Nations leaders and economic‑development officials. Its purpose is to give agents, developers and other industry players practical insight into Indigenous‑led development and clear guidance on how to engage respectfully with Indigenous partners.
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First Nations take lead on large‑scale housing
Across the province, Indigenous groups are spearheading residential projects that could add thousands of rental units in the coming years. Craig Munn, chief corporate development officer at Greater Vancouver Realtors, said the initiative grew out of a need to understand that shift. He highlighted the Squamish Nation’s Senakw development in downtown Vancouver, which will feature 11 residential towers and more than 6,000 housing units for both nation members and the public.
Other projects flagged in the report include development efforts by Indigenous‑governed agencies such as M’akola Development Services.
Provincial funding fuels the momentum
British Columbia’s Indigenous Housing Fund has been a major source of capital for these projects. In 2023 the provincial government added $1.3 billion to the fund, raising its total to $1.8 billion and doubling the housing target from 1,750 to 3,500 homes for Indigenous people on and off reserve.
More than 3,220 homes funded through the Indigenous Housing Fund were either open or under construction across the province in 2024. The funding supports affordable and supportive housing led by agencies such as M’akola Development Services, an Indigenous‑governed development agency highlighted in the report.
M’akola’s recent projects include Ho’-kee-melh Kloshe Lum in Vancouver, which opened in March 2026 with 143 rental homes, 25 supportive units and 80 shelter beds. The agency is also developing the Urban Aboriginal Community in Prince George, featuring 176 housing units and 40 childcare spaces slated for completion by summer 2026.
Insights reveal sophisticated planning
Munn said the engagement process behind Transforming Settings confirmed the depth of long‑term planning already underway within Indigenous communities. “It’s always great to go to the source of people who are driving initiatives and just hearing their own words and their own vision,” he explained.
One clear takeaway, he noted, is the advanced stage of planning and the far‑out vision that nations have for their lands. Indigenous developers are building sophisticated frameworks that differ from conventional real‑estate projects, requiring professionals to understand legal arrangements, land‑stewardship principles and long‑term goals before entering partnerships.
“If you’re gonna call yourself a professional, professionals need to be informed and have proper context before getting into operations,” Munn added, emphasizing that staying current on headlines is not enough.
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Initiative is a work in progress
The release of Transforming Settings is described as an early step rather than a final product. The organizations behind it plan to keep the conversation going, sharing additional findings with members and the public over time.
In the meantime, the report encourages industry participants to view the resource as a starting point for direct dialogue with Indigenous economic‑development departments. By doing so, they hope to build “productive relationships and effectiveness for professionals,” according to Munn.
Where to learn more
Real‑estate professionals interested in the details can explore the Transforming Settings website, which includes case studies, contact information for Indigenous development corporations and a set of best‑practice guidelines. For broader context on Canada’s housing policies, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s page on Indigenous housing initiatives offers additional data and historical background.
