“One size fits all” does not fit housing in Eskasoni, a Mi’kmaw First Nation in eastern Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. The most common style of housing—a four-bedroom, split-entry home with a full basement—did not suit most families in this community. Young people account for a large percentage of the 4,400 members living on the reserve. The First Nation found that, while there still were many large families, there was an increasing variety of family formations, as well.

“Most people did not understand the idea of being over-housed,” says Darlene Marshall, Housing Manager.  “Everyone had gotten so used to the standard house. No one liked the idea of duplexes or triplexes or, especially, apartments.” But the First Nation was changing, and that meant the housing also needed to change. The large houses were becoming crowded with several small families and a steady flow of people needing a place to stay for the night. “We didn’t only have to deal with the housing issues but the social issues, as well, that were resulting from our inability to provide the right sort of housing for our people,” Marshall says.

The Housing Department and the Chief and Council wanted community members to be more mindful of what it means to have a home as well as the responsibilities of caring for one. Marshall felt that the practice of placing young, inexperienced families into large homes was resulting in difficulties later on. Matters like day-to-day opera ...