Connecting participants to housing, services and programs to promote self-sufficiency.
Ni-Apin
About the Ni-Apin program
Ni-Apin, meaning "I am sitting at home" in Cree, is Aboriginal Health & Wellness Centre's Housing First program supporting urban Indigenous adults who are experiencing chronic or episodic homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness.
Using an Intensive Case Management (ICM) and harm reduction approach, Ni-Apin provides individualized, portable supports that respond to each participant's unique needs. Guided by AHWC's holistic Medicine Wheel philosophy, our services promote prevention, intervention, treatment, aftercare, and overall wellness in a welcoming, confidential, and non-judgmental environment.
Our Services
The program's goal is to connect participants to permanent housing while providing the personalized, culturally grounded supports needed to promote self-sufficiency and long-term housing stability.
Participants can access a range of integrated supports, including:
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Connection to permanent housing
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Individualized case planning
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Home visits, providing program participants with portable, individualized supports and services in response to distinctive needs
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Advocacy and systems navigation
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Referral to community services
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One-to-one counselling
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Support accessing primary care services
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Food security supports
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Cultural supports, including Elders, Traditional services, Sharing Circles, and Teaching Circles
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Drop-in programming, including cultural activities, arts and crafts, social engagement, and access to computers and telephones
Criteria to Access
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Experiencing homelessness.
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Living with mental health or addictions.
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Are of Indigenous ancestry (Metis, Inuit, or First Nation).
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Reside in the City of Winnipeg.
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Want to make positive changes and move toward a healthier lifestyle.
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18 years or older.
How to Join Ni-Apin
Step 1: Complete a Coordinated Entry Form
To begin the process, visit a Naatamooskakowin Access Point to complete a Coordinated Entry Form (CEF) with a trained staff member.
The Coordinated Entry Form gathers information about:
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Your current housing situation.
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Your history of homelessness.
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Your strengths, goals, and support needs.
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Any health, mental health, or substance use concerns.
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The types of housing and supports that may best meet your needs.
The information collected helps determine eligibility for housing programs and ensures you are considered for programs that best match your circumstances. Your information is securely shared within the Coordinated Access System, reducing the need to repeat your story to multiple service providers.
Coordinated Entry Forms can be completed at Naatamooskakowin Access Points located throughout Winnipeg. Please visit a participating Access Point or speak with a community service provider to find the location most convenient for you.
Step 2: Assessment and Prioritization
After your Coordinated Entry Form is completed, your information is reviewed through the Naatamooskakowin Coordinated Access process.
Referrals are prioritized based on several factors, including:
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Length and severity of homelessness.
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Current housing situation.
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Support needs.
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Health, mental health, and substance use challenges.
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Other factors that may affect housing stability.
This process helps ensure available housing opportunities are matched to individuals with the greatest need.
Step 3: Referral to Ni-Apin
When Ni-Apin is identified as an appropriate Housing First program and a space becomes available, Naatamooskakowin will send a referral to our team.
An Intensive Community Support Advocate will contact you to complete program intake, discuss your goals, and begin working with you to find and maintain housing while providing ongoing, culturally safe supports.
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