The FNHIC-BC Advancing Mandate With Successful Delivery Model Design Session

November 5, 2018

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Armed with preliminary feedback from the engagement sessions, HIC held an intensive two-day workshop in October with accomplished housing and infrastructure delivery professionals to develop three viable design options for the proposed BC First Nations Housing & Infrastructure Authority. HIC (the First Nations Housing & Infrastructure Council of BC) is putting context to these concepts and will be taking them to the BC First Nations housing community for consideration in a second round of engagement later this fall. ​

“Designing a community-based model that meets the needs of First Nations continues to be at the forefront of HIC’s mandate. HIC compiled excellent insight during the first phase of engagement, which included more than 20 community outreach sessions with the BC First Nations housing community, as well as meetings with housing service providers, urban housing groups, education facilities and financial institutions. The feedback we heard formed the foundation for the design workshop, serving as the starting point to guide the design discussion by housing and infrastructure delivery experts. It was a productive and successful session that produced three excellent design concepts. HIC looks forward to presenting these concepts to the BC First Nations housing community, while we continue our collaboration with the existing service providers,” said HIC Chair Chief Dan George.

HIC Advancing Mandate

On October 9 and 10, HIC brought together more than 40 professionals with extensive housing and infrastructure delivery experience representing the range of strategic expertise required for delivery model design. The group’s combined experience totalled more than 600 years (ranging from five to 39 years) across administration, planning, funding, engineering, building, inspection and maintenance, housing and infrastructure service providers and agencies, and government (including BC Housing, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Indigenous Service Canada).

Building upon the findings from the first phase of engagement and applying their own knowledge, the group considered seven design categories to consider delivery model system concepts:

  • Culture and Scope
  • Location and Governance
  • Program and Service Delivery
  • Corporate Planning, Policy and Standards
  • Fiscal Relationship (with clients)
  • Harmonization/Integration
  • Human Resources and Staffing

What's Next

HIC will begin a second round of engagement outreach later this fall through focus groups and regional forums to present the design model options for consideration. The preferred design option will inform negotiations of an agreement summarizing the terms of a transfer of BC First Nations related housing and infrastructure authorities. The final product will go through a BC First Nations approval process (to be determined in the outreach process) and the federal government. HIC will also be releasing a comprehensive engagement summary report on the first round of engagement, which will detail the process, findings and recommendations learned in the first round of engagement outreach.

​Process Update

HIC continues to work collaboratively with Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and Canada Mortgage and Housing (CHHC) to develop joint workplans and agreements. HIC has completed a Memorandum of Understanding with ISC (that is awaiting Ministerial approval) that will commit the parties to collaborative development of the housing and infrastructure authority. HIC is also exploring options for the Government of British Columbia and CMHC to collaborate on this initiative and is expanding engagement with existing urban housing service providers.

​Keeping You Informed

HIC appreciates the contributions and feedback of everyone who has participated in the engagement sessions and workshops to date. Watch for the notifications on the second round of engagement outreach and summary report. Be sure to visit our websitewww.fnhic-bc.ca,  join our mailing list to stay informed about HIC’s work, or contact us at info@hic-bc.ca with questions.