People who self-identify as Aboriginal are over-represented among those who use emergency shelters in Great Victoria. People with Aboriginal identify account for just 3.4% of Greater Victoria’s population (Statistics Canada, 2007), yet on average they represent 21.5% of shelter users. Aboriginal leaders in our community suggest that this figure is low and that once the reality of under-housing for Aboriginal individuals and families is taken into account that the Aboriginal housing and homelessness situation in Greater Victoria is a crisis. The Coalition to End Homelessness has recognized this and has identified the need for a coordinated and thoughtful response to this crisis.

Specific, meaningful and culturally appropriate initiatives are needed to deal with housing and supporting Aboriginal individuals, families and communities. This report sets out the beginnings of an Aboriginal strategy to address issues of housing and homelessness in the Capital Regional District.