SIPP Public Policy Papers 51

Abstract

This paper examines the current reality as it relates to Aboriginal people and housing in Lethbridge. This inferential study is designed to provide a basic demographic profile of Aboriginal people in Lethbridge with an emphasis on demonstrating housing needs in this, the first stage in a larger research agenda focused on investigating Aboriginal housing needs in Lethbridge. Specifically, we sought to develop an innovative project articulating how Aboriginal individuals who currently rent or own homes succeeded in doing so while identifying the types of barriers they overcame that continue to hinder other Aboriginal people in their attempts to obtain housing. The data compiled from a questionnaire delivered to a sample of the urban Aboriginal population were utilized to demonstrate the standard of living of Aboriginal people in Lethbridge in relation to their professed needs and contemporary housing conditions. Sixty-one landlords were also contacted in an effort to establish the reasons for renting or not renting to Aboriginal people and their related concerns.