Indigenous housing in Sask. needs renewed commitment

[Oscar]

Indigenous housing in Sask. needs renewed commitment

[ https://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/colu ... commitment ]

The number of affordable housing units for Indigenous people in Saskatchewan could be doubled and it would still fall short of the need.

Author: Doug Cuthand • Saskatoon StarPhoenix Published January 20, 2024

EXCERPT: "The sorry state of reserve housing is a matter of concern in Indian country, but overcrowding and the lack of quality urban housing is often overlooked.

The Indigenous population has doubled over the past two decades and all indications point to a continued increase. Today, over half of Saskatchewan’s Indigenous population live in urban areas.

People migrate to the cities in search of a better life with improved services and better housing; often it turns out to be a false hope. . . .

Today, we have the capacity to create better housing. We have the administrators, the carpenters and sub trades. We can renovate existing homes and apartment buildings as well as build new housing. We need renewed federal and provincial co-operation to address this serious issue."
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Doug Cuthand is the Indigenous affairs columnist for the Saskatoon StarPhoenix and the Regina Leader-Post. He is a member of the Little Pine First Nation.