MIHCEMI

2026 Leadership Housing Forum

MIHCEMI Leadership Housing Forum

The MIHCEMI Leadership Housing Forum is an annual event that brings together Leadership and Housing Managers from across Manitoba First Nations.

At the forum, MIHCEMI and its partners provide updates and key areas that are being worked on in the future. It is a space where Leadership and those in the industry can have open dialogue regarding all things housing for Manitoba First Nations.

2026 MICHEMI Leadership Housing Forum Highlights

On February 3-4, 2026, the MIHCEMI Leadership Housing Forum brought together representatives from all 63 First Nations in Manitoba, seven Tribal Councils, and MIHCEMI's provincial and national partners. The gathering focused on updates from MIHCEMI's subcommittees, progress on the 2025 Strategic Vision and the growing momentum toward service delivery transfer.

Progress on the 2025 Strategic Vision

Leadership received updates on the eight key recommendations approved in 2025, including:

Developing a preferred governance and service delivery model
Introducing scalable core housing competencies
Establishing a Centre of Excellence for research and innovation
Strengthening partnerships and shared service delivery models
Advancing "Made in Manitoba" housing standards and best practices
Identifying IT platforms for communication and resource sharing
Negotiating a 5-year financial plan
Developing a multi-year communications strategy

These recommendations continue to guide MIHCEMI's work and shape the future of regional housing governance.

Key Housing Challenges Identified & Re-emphasized

Leadership reaffirmed the ongoing challenges facing Manitoba First Nations, including:

Fragmented program delivery
Overcrowding and core housing need
Infrastructure gaps (roads, water, sewer, power)
Mold and aging housing stock
Geographic isolation and high construction costs
Lack of accurate, centralized housing data

These challenges continue to guide MIHCEMI's priorities and advocacy.

Partner Updates

MIHCEMI's partners shared updates on programs, funding, and opportunities available to First Nations:

CMHC - update on funding programs, eligibility, timelines, and new federal initiatives that support housing development and repairs, and workforce development.
Efficiency Manitoba - showcased practical, community-led energy retrofit work and rebate opportunities.
FNHPA - elevating the professionalism and skills of housing staff through assessment, training, and certification pathways.
FNNBOA - strengthening technical capacity and introducing innovative inspection tools to support safer, higher-quality housing.

These partnerships remain essential to MIHCEMI's mandate to support capacity-building and community-led housing solutions.

What's Next: Transfer of Service Delivery

The Transfer of Service Delivery Subcommittee will be a primary focus for 2026. This work aligns with ISC's legislated mandate to transfer housing and infrastructure responsibilities to First Nations and with the AFN's 10-Year National Housing and Infrastructure Strategy.

It also directly advances the direction set by the Chiefs-in-Assembly in Resolution JUN-18.03, which called for the development of new First Nations-led housing systems and institutions. The subcommittee's work is a continuation of that mandate and a key step toward long-term self-determination in housing and infrastructure.