The Challenge

Located in northwest Alberta, Dene Tha’ First Nation (DTFN) is home to approximately 2,400 members across three communities. Housing has long been a critical challenge due to factors such as remoteness, funding gaps, and the impacts of natural disasters. As a result, improving housing conditions and planning for long-term sustainability became a key priority for the Nation.

In 2019, DTFN initiated a focused effort to better understand and address its housing needs, with the goal of developing a comprehensive and sustainable solution that reflects the priorities of its members.

Our Approach

Ballad began by conducting a comprehensive Housing Needs Assessment, using a data-driven approach to evaluate housing supply and demand, identify gaps, and project future needs. This analysis was complemented by engagement with community members and non-members, ensuring that the findings were grounded in local perspectives and lived experience.

Building on this foundation, Ballad developed a Housing Strategy that translated the assessment findings into a clear and actionable plan. The strategy addressed both immediate and long-term housing priorities and included recommendations related to policy updates, climate-responsive approaches, emergency housing planning, innovative construction methods, and priority development projects.

Following the completion of the strategy, Ballad continued to support DTFN through implementation. This included advancing a new housing project aligned with the strategy’s priorities, preparing funding applications to secure resources, and providing project management support to move the development forward.

Together, this work supports DTFN in addressing current housing challenges while establishing a more sustainable, resilient, and well-planned housing system for the future.

What we heard

“Ballad Group is an exceptional service provider that has exceeded all expectations. Over the past year, Dene Tha’ First Nation has had the pleasure of working with the Ballad team on several projects that will have positive impacts on our communities. It has been our experience that Ballad Group has been professional, punctual, communicative, respectful, and trustworthy. Dene Tha’ First Nation looks forward to working with Ballad Group on future projects.”