Native People of Nipissing Non-Profit Residential Development Corporation, established in 1985, provides rent geared-to-income housing for families, individuals, Elders of Indigenous ancestry under the unique federal Urban Native Housing (UNH) program. Native People of Nipissing owns and operates 66 housing units scattered throughout the city of North Bay and are comprised of a diverse variety of duplex, semi-detached and detached dwellings, as well as a small senior citizen apartment building and townhouse developments.

Urban Native Housing was developed in the 1970s and 1980s as a result of successful lobbying of the Government of Canada by Indigenous leaders and organizations. The intent behind UNH was to create housing programs that would assist low-income families and individuals of Native ancestry to secure safe, affordable and decent housing. UNH was also created to help to counter the effects of racism and discrimination frequently encountered by members of Indigenous communities attempting to find a place in which to live and raise a family. The programs, in part, also recognize the Federal government’s fiduciary responsibility towards persons of Indigenous ancestry based on historic treaty obligations. In addition, they recognize the unique social and financial situations presented by some clientele. First Nations, Inuit and Métis individuals are eligible for housing under the Urban Native Housing program.