What happens after our people are housed: How we support healing and sustainability over the long haul.

By Miguel S. Chanocua June 7, 2025

If you read my last blog, I spoke about why it is important for Indigenous people to have safe and stable housing. Having a place to call home is a huge deal, especially when you’re experiencing or have experienced homelessness like I did. But having a home is not the fix and is just a first step and the real work is in being able to help people to “stay” housed for the long haul, especially for our Indigenous communities who are at a high risk of facing trauma, health problems, and poverty. 

That said, what does it take to keep people housed? I will tell you that it takes a lot of support, sometimes throughout a person's whole life. The very same organizations that I mentioned last week like the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), Future Generations Collaborative (FGC), and the Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA) do not stop after they house someone, they also provide them with resources to help them get back on their feet permanently, providing tools to stay in their homes.

Indigenous individuals and families are partnered with case workers who provide them with long term support who help provide the basic necessities like food, clothing, and jobs. Their caseworkers understand that having money doesn’t solve all of their problems and that having someone who understands exactly where they come from is huge, especially when the caseworker is Indigenous as well makes it easier for them to talk about their struggles. 

At the housing projects they are offered more than just a home they are offered spaces where they can participate in cultural gatherings and community events where they are celebrated among people who look like them. This is important because for Indigenous people being able to practice our culture is how we stay connected to our community, our people, and our traditions.

Photo of a Neerchokikoo Powwow (Top) and Native Professionals and Friends Night (bottom)from NAYA

Events that support the people’s well being keeping them strong

Powwows and other events take place often in these spaces where they can come and make connections with other Indigenous people in safe environments, which in Indigenous shared cultures is critical to our well being. These organizations also provide events that are Indigenous focused to help them stay healthy and safe in facilities and out in the community with things like the Elders and Natural Helpers who are a part of the Future Generations Collaborative that  go out into the community to educate Indigenous people about how to stay safe, build valuable skills, and promote traditional healing to address and combat historic and intergenerational traumas.

Elders and Natural Helpers engaging with the community about safe practices from FGC

Making sure that our people stay off the streets and in homes will take more than just giving them the keys, it takes the community caring for each other through culture. Having people who will listen to you and have programs that are tailored to the challenges that Indigenous people face. We know what approaches work best for our people that will last and heal over the long haul, not just the immediate need that honors our cultures.

If you would like to learn more about how to support Indigenous people and families who are experiencing homelessness here are the websites, take a look and see how you can help stop Indigenous homelessness.

Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) 

Future Generations Collaborative

Native American Rehabilitation Association (NARA)