Community project will empower P.E.I.’s Indigenous tenants

While Indigenous Peoples experience racism and discrimination when searching for a place to call home, remaining housed can be even more challenging. On Prince Edward Island—where nearly one-in-three Indigenous renters who live off-reserve lack adequate, affordable housing—Indigenous housing provider Nanegkam Housing Corporation’s unique understanding of the situation has laid the groundwork for an exciting new project. The Indigenous Tenant Support Initiative tackles head-on the issues community members face when renting in P.E.I., while addressing the limited financial literacy, legal knowledge and home economic skills that makes them particularly vulnerable to illegal evictions and poor housing conditions such as pest control, mould and water leaks. The Centre has awarded $72,853 in funding to support ITSI’s commitment to promoting housing stability and empowering Indigenous tenants with knowledge that will serve them for life. Interwoven with traditional activities that incorporate Indigenous knowledge, some of the planned workshops and sessions include budgeting, tenant rights and responsibilities, and tenant skill-building for self-advocacy. Approximately 60 tenants will be involved in the project.