Supporting Indigenous-led Non-market Housing in Calgary
Supporting Indigenous-led Affordable Housing in Calgary Maa’too’maa’taapii Aoko’iyii’piaya
Maa’too’maa’taapii Aoko’iyii’piaya is a funding program that supports Indigenous-led non-market housing solutions in Calgary.
The City of Calgary was honoured to launch the program on August 19, 2025. Eligible applicants were invited to submit applications from September 15 to October 31, 2025. Funding recipients were announced on March 16, 2026.
The City developed this program in direct collaboration with the Chief Housing Office Elders Advisory Committee, and it aligns with Home is Here: The City of Calgary's Housing Strategy (2024 - 2030), and The Ways Forward: Affordable Housing for Indigenous Calgarians Through a Holistic Plan (CD2023-0239). These frameworks collectively call for bold action to address housing inequities in Calgary by supporting Indigenous led housing models that promote healing, cultural connection, and long-term sustainability.
Maa’too’maa’taapii Aoko’iyii’piaya responds to urgent housing needs with $33 million in funding across two streams to support non-market housing projects that are led and developed by Indigenous people for Indigenous people:
- 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 and to support the acquisition of land for affordable housing developments.
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 for this program are now closed.
For Indigenous, By Indigenous
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.
Can I apply for housing through this program?
No, this program is not an intake for affordable housing applications for residents.
Maa’too’maa’taapii Aoko’iyii’piaya is a capital funding program designed to support Indigenous Nations and Indigenous organizations to develop (i.e. purchase, build) non-market housing in Calgary.
If you are seeking affordable housing in Calgary, please visit The Government of Alberta’s Find Housing webpage, or contact the following organizations to learn more about their housing options and to apply for affordable housing:
- Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC) – Phone: 403-270-7379
- Otipemisiwak Métis Government – Phone: 780-452-6440
- Siksika Off-Reserve Affordable Housing (SORAH) - Phone: (403) 452-6606
- Metis Calgary Family Services (MCFS) - Phone: 403-240-4642
- Treaty 7 Urban Indian Housing Authority – Phone: (403) 327-1995
- Attainable Homes Calgary – Phone: (403) 265-9935
- Calgary Housing – Phone: (587) 390-1200
Contact us
2026 Funding recipients
Maa’too’maa’taapii Aoko’iyii’piaya received over $68 million in funding requests in the first round, which closed on October 31, 2025. The City is pleased to award $33 million to 16 Indigenous nations and Indigenous-led non-profit organizations. A total of 24 projects were selected for funding, and the program is expected to deliver to up to 379 new units of non-market housing for Indigenous Calgarians.
Stream 1: Engagement and Planning
15 projects were selected for funding under Stream 1 (Engagement & Planning), for a total of $2.25 million. Projects funded under this stream will undertake community engagement, early planning and capacity development activities to support future Indigenous-led affordable housing development, management and operations in Calgary.
| Funding Recipient | Funding Amount |
|---|---|
| Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC) | $150,000 |
| Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council | $150,000 |
| Community Roots Foundation | $150,000 |
| Elizabeth Fry Society of Calgary* | $300,000 (2 projects) |
| Goodstoney First Nation | $149,160 |
| Highbanks Society* | $150,000 |
| Metis Calgary Family Services (MCFS) | $150,000 |
| Miskanawah | $150,000 |
| Niitoiyis Family Support Society | $150,000 |
| Our Nation Student Housing | $150,000 |
| Piikani Nation | $150,000 |
| Stoney Nakoda-Tsuut’ina Tribal Council (G4) | $150,000 |
| Treaty 7 Urban Housing Authority | $150,000 |
| Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY) | $150,000 |
*Applicant did not meet 51% board requirement but was approved by the Chief Housing Office Elders’ Advisory Committee to apply for funding under this program.
Stream 2: Housing Development
5 projects were selected for funding under Stream 2 (Housing Development), for a total of $20.18 million. Projects funded under this stream will create up to 147 new units of non-market housing for Indigenous households in housing need, addressing systemic and long-standing barriers to housing choice, affordability and cultural safety for Indigenous Calgarians.
| Funding Recipient & Project | Units | Funding Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC) – Crescent Heights Project | 18 | $3,175,825.74 |
| Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC) – Forest Lawn Project | 20 | $2,115,200.00 |
| Metis Calgary Family Services (MCFS) – Rainbow Lodge Project | 47 | $9,884,388.00 |
| Metis Calgary Family Services (MCFS) – White Feather Project | 2 | $624,736.86 |
| Sikiska Off-Reserve Affordable Housing (SORAH) – Erin Woods Project | 60 | $4,385,000.00 |
Stream 3: Land Purchase
4 projects were selected for funding under Stream 2 (Land Purchase), for a total of $10.58 million. Projects funded under this stream will create up to 232 new units of non-market housing for Indigenous households in housing need, addressing systemic and long-standing barriers to housing choice, affordability and cultural safety for Indigenous Calgarians.
| Funding Recipient | Units (estimated) | Funding Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC) | 97 | $3,587,133.53 |
| Blackfoot Confederacy Tribal Council | 75 | $3,587,133.53 |
| Métis Capital Housing Corporation (for Otipemisiwak Métis Government Districts 5 & 6) | 45 | $2,341,422.34 |
| Urban Society for Aboriginal Youth (USAY) | 15 | $1,050,000.00 |
Meet the Chief Housing Office 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:
- Carol Wings (Kainai Nation) - Committee member since September 2024
- Clement Leather (Siksika Nation) - Committee member since July 2025
- Diane Meguinis (Tsuut’ina Nation) - Committee member since September 2024
- Grant Britton (Otipemisiwak Métis Government /Métis Nation of Alberta) - Committee member since February 2025
- Jackie Bromley (Kainai Nation) - Committee member since September 2024
- Mina Powderface (Stoney Nakoda) - Committee member since May 2025
- Ollie Benjamin (Stoney Nakoda) - Committee member since May 2025
- Patsy Weasel Fat (Kainai Nation) - Committee member since August 2025
- Roy Weasel Fat (Kainai Nation) - Committee member since August 2025
- Virgle Stephens (Stoney Nakoda) - Committee member since December 2025
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 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.
How much funding was committed to this program? 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 affordable housing in Calgary, The City allocated this $30M to the Maa’too’maa’taapii Aoko’iyii’piaya program to support Indigenous-led affordable housing developments. An additional $3M was allocated to the program through budget adjustments in November 2025.
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 $33M 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. The Chief Housing Office 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.
About the name
The name “Maa’too’maa’taapii Aoko’iyii’piaya, was gifted in ceremony by Jackie Bromley along with the Elders Advisory Committee. It means:
- 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.
Hear the name
About the graphic
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.
Related News & Events
-
Today, The City of Calgary, Indigenous nations and Indigenous-led non-profit organizations celebrated the funding award of Maa’too’maa’taapii Aoko’iyii’piaya, The City’s Indigenous Housing Program. The program awarded a historic $33 million to 16 Indigenous nations and Indigenous-led non-profit organizations that will deliver to up to 379 new non-market homes for Indigenous Calgarians through a total of 24 projects.
-
Four affordable housing providers have been selected to purchase five parcels of City-owned land at below-market value in the communities of Crescent Heights, Erlton, Haysboro, Erin Woods and Shaganappi. These developments are expected to create 387 new affordable homes for Calgarians.
-
The City of Calgary is taking a major step forward in its commitment to reconciliation and equity through launching Maa’too’maa’taapii Aoko’iyii’piaya, a new program that supports Indigenous-led non-market housing in Calgary. This program represents a historic investment of $30 million in Indigenous-led housing, and is estimated to enable the creation of between 150 and 350 new housing units.