At Arcwell, we believe housing is about more than just shelter—it’s about dignity, community, and opportunity. Across Canada, Indigenous communities face some of the country’s most severe housing challenges. Statistics from the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation show that over 76,000 Indigenous households live in homes needing major repairs or in overcrowded conditions. While modular and prefabricated housing solutions can address some of these challenges, we know that trust and respectful collaboration are the true foundations for success.
As a non-Indigenous company, we are committed to working with—not for—Indigenous communities. Our approach centers on active listening, cultural respect, and collaboration. This is why we operate with a core principle: We move at the speed of trust. For us, this means building meaningful relationships rooted in respect, active listening, and a commitment to long-term partnership. Every project is a collaboration, and every home we help create reflects the needs, priorities, and leadership of the unique community it serves.
Community-First Approach
At Arcwell, we know that Indigenous communities are best positioned to determine their own housing needs. In addition to Community Housing Professionals, band council members, Elders, and knowledge keepers provide invaluable leadership and expertise, and we prioritize their guidance in every project.
From the earliest stages of planning, we:
- Collaborate on Design: Ensuring housing solutions reflect cultural and environmental considerations unique to each community. Many of our modular homes have a bespoke design based on the feedback from voices within the communities. For example, our split-entry home, featuring up to five bedrooms, is often chosen and customized for multi-generational families. According to the 2021 Canadian Census, multi-generational homes are more common in Indigenous communities, so it is our duty to respond to these needs.
- Work Within Protocols: Respecting governance structures and decision-making timelines. Ultimately, our priority and pillar of practice at Arcwell is building relationships that are meaningful.
- Build for Sustainability: Partnering with Indigenous-led organizations to ensure homes are supported and maintained over the long term.
Trust Through Relationship Building
Building trust takes time, and we are committed to earning it through our actions. We understand and are mindful of the historical context in which we operate.
To build trust, we focus on:
- Transparency: Being clear about our intentions, goals, and processes.
- Accountability: Following through on every commitment we make.
- Active Listening: Ensuring community voices shape our projects at every stage.
Empowering Communities Through Skill Transfer
We know that housing solutions must contribute to the long-term well-being of the communities we work with. That’s why Arcwell is proud to offer the Skill Transfer Program for Indigenous community members who are interested in learning trades or gaining construction experience.
This program, provided free of charge, offers hands-on training and mentorship in areas such as carpentry, modular assembly, and site preparation. Participants can develop valuable skills that not only contribute to their community’s housing initiatives but also open doors to future career opportunities in construction and beyond. By investing in skill development, we aim to foster economic empowerment and create lasting benefits beyond the homes we build.
Balancing Urgency with Respect
Canada’s housing crisis in Indigenous communities is dire. According to Indigenous Services Canada, approximately 130,000 new homes are needed to address the current shortfall, and another 80,000 existing homes require major repairs to meet safety and livability standards. Nearly 20% of Indigenous households experience overcrowding, compared to only 1% of non-Indigenous households nationwide. This disparity underscores the critical need for immediate action.
At Arcwell, we recognize the urgency of these statistics, but we also understand that speed cannot come at the expense of lasting, respectful partnerships. Modular homes offer efficient, scalable solutions to housing shortages, with customizable designs that reflect cultural values and environmental considerations. Built in controlled environments, they reduce waste by up to 90% and enable quick, low-disruption assembly, perfectly suited to the urgent and diverse needs of Indigenous communities. As such, our modular and prefabricated housing solutions are uniquely suited to balance these needs.
Building Homes and a Better Future
At Arcwell, our work is about more than providing housing—it’s about building trust, fostering relationships, and empowering communities. By centering Indigenous leadership, offering opportunities for skill development, and moving at the speed of trust, we aim to create homes that not only meet immediate needs but also contribute to a stronger, more self-sufficient future for the communities we serve.
The work ahead is vast, but we are driven by the belief that respectful collaboration can lead to transformative change. Together, we are not just building homes; we are building a future where every family has a safe, dignified place to call home.