REQUEST FOR FACILITATOR PROPOSALS: Off-Reserve Housing and Homelessness Research Project and Report Writer
Download RFP Here: RFP Off-Reserve Project Outline
You are invited to submit a proposal for a project being undertaken by the Chiefs of Ontario to undertake a literature review and environmental scan of currently existing housing and homelessness programs that are intended to assist First Nations living off-reserve in Ontario. Following this, you will also conduct and draft a feasibility study regarding First Nations taking a greater role in addressing off-reserve homelessness and provide recommendations on next steps for First Nations to address off-reserve homelessness.
The Chiefs of Ontario have a mandate from Ontario First Nations and funding from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) to hire a capable consultant to conduct this research, gather existing data on housing and homelessness issues affecting First Nations living off-reserve in Ontario, and provide recommendations and next steps for First Nations to consider.
Submission Deadline:
*Please note that the submission deadline has been extended from February 15, 2024, to March 1, 2024*
Please send all electronic proposals to:
Policy and Communications Department
Attn: Chris Hoyos, Policy and Communications Director
Email: chris.hoyos@coo.org
The interested candidate’s proposal must include the following:
- A demonstration of their expertise in addressing issues related to First Nations housing and infrastructure, including on-reserve housing regulations/policies, federal housing programs, and financing options.
- A work plan in alignment with the project deliverables within the provided timeframe (February 21, 2024 – August 30, 2024).
- A proposed budget for the completion of the work with a budget schedule in alignment with the completion of each project deliverable for a maximum amount of $98,000 over the timeline indicated above.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
The housing crisis in Ontario, both on and off reserve, has intensified since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating immediate funding to address critical First Nation housing priorities. In addition to funding, policy and structural changes are required to ensure First Nations can meet their housing needs. This includes ensuring First Nations’ Treaty and inherent rights are respected and addressing dated government policies.
The Chiefs-in-Assembly in Ontario communicated to the Chiefs of Ontario Secretariat, via Resolution 23/20A, carried by the Chiefs-in-Assembly at the June 2023 Annual Chiefs Assembly, that directs the Chiefs of Ontario to undertake research pertaining to off-reserve housing and homelessness, particularly as a response to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)’s work on the URN Strategy.
In Federal Budget 2023, $4 billion was allocated to implement the URN Strategy, and a part of this implementation will require fulsome and meaningful engagements with First Nations from all regions to obtain exact needs from all First Nations across Canada to understand proper implementation processes.
The consultant will undertake the bulk of this research and initial engagements with Ontario First Nations, with the assistance of Chiefs of Ontario staff. The consultant will provide Chiefs of Ontario and CMHC with firsthand findings to support and inform how they may be able to adapt their Strategy to meet the needs of First Nations facing homelessness in off-reserve areas in Ontario.
Understanding the needs and current situation of varying First Nations off-reserve will be critical in determining how housing and infrastructure-related funding ought to be transferred to First Nations, and how CMHC can work with First Nations to support their autonomy as sovereign Nations and provide services to ensure prosperity in these initiatives for all First Nations, no matter where they may live (i.e. asset management, capacity building, training and employment opportunities for First Nations to partake directly in this work).
Chiefs of Ontario is hopeful that in conducting an initial literature review and environmental scan, we will be able to gather a clearer picture of what housing and homelessness look like off-reserve for First Nations, provide insight into how existing or new programs can be created or changed to reflect up-to-date data and assist First Nations in finding solutions and next steps to become involved in tackling this crisis by providing adequate and realistic recommendations.
RECEIPT OF PROPOSALS
Packages are to be clearly marked: “RFP: Off-Reserve Housing and Homelessness Researcher and Report Writer” by March 1, 2024, at 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Submit electronically to the Policy and Communications Sector at chris.hoyos@coo.org and CC’ hayley.lucas@coo.org. Submissions received after the stated deadline will not be accepted.
Selection of consultant will be awarded no later than March 8, 2024.
