Needed upgrades and repairs are coming to another 500 social housing units in the territory, on top of the 150 announced last week by Minister MP Rebecca Alty.
Jeanne Gard of Housing NWT told my North Now that from 2025 to 26 and 2027 2028 the GNWT plans to repair another 500 units across the territory. The investment of $30 million plus is money well spent according to the latest data from NWT’s Bureau of Statistics. According to the latest data from the statistics bureau, inadequate housing – the physical condition of housing and repairs needed was the most prevalent housing problem in the territory with 18.2 per cent of households needing major repairs. The 2024 survey found inadequate housing was a bigger problem than housing affordability.
Earlier this year, NWT’s Bureau of Statistics released its 2024 data on housing across the territory. The survey results included information on housing inadequacy, the physical condition of housing and repairs needed. The study found that housing inadequacy was the most prevalent housing problem with 18.2 per cent of households needing major repairs across the N.W.T. In comparison, 12.8 per cent of respondents reported problems with housing affordability.
The survey also found that for both older adults and for young adults, housing adequacy was the most prevalent problem. Older adult and young adult respondents reported that the physical condition of their dwellings was a bigger problem even in comparison to housing affordability.
Data showed that the Tłı̨chǫ region had a housing inadequacy rate of 37.1 per cent, the highest rate of housing inadequacy in in the territory. The Dehcho region had the second highest rate, at 34.6 per cent, followed by the Sahtu region, at 28.3 per cent, the Beaufort Delta, 26.7 per cent, the South Slave, 23.7 percent and the Yellowknife region, 8.4 per cent.
Last week, Minister MP Rebecca Alty announced a $5.625 million investment, inlcuing $2.25 million from CMHC and $3.375 million from Housing NWT, going towards making needed upgrades on 150 affordable housing units in the territory.
Jeane Gard of Housing NWT told my North Now that the funding for the first 150 social housing units will be spread across 22 of the N.W.T’s 31 communities with social housing.
Gard said these include Aklavik, Behchokǫ̀, Délı̨nę, Dettah, Fort Good Hope, Fort Liard, Fort McPherson, Fort Providence, Fort Resolution, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik, N’dilo, Paulatuk, Sachs Harbour, Sambaa K’e, Tsiigehtchic, Tuktoyaktuk, Ulukhaktok, Whatì and Yellowknife.
Gard added that all 31 communities will receive social housing upgrades and repairs between now and 2028.
“All 31 communities with social housing units in the NWT will see improvements over the next three years through this agreement and additional capital investments.”
The planned upgrades are focussed on “essential upgrades.”
“These repairs are part of Housing NWT’s broader capital plan and will focus on essential upgrades such as heating, plumbing, roofing, windows, doors, and foundations,” said Gard.
Earlier this year, NWT’s Bureau of Statistics released its 2024 data on adequate housing across the territory – the physical condition of housing and repairs needed.
Adequacy was the most prevalent housing problem in the territory with 18.2 per cent of households needing major repairs.
The survey also found that for older adults and for young adults, housing adequacy was the most prevalent problem. The survey found that these groups reported that the physical condition of their dwellings was a bigger problem even in comparison to housing affordability.
The GNWT looks at different factors to weigh priviorities around which dwellings will receive the upgrades, said Gard.
‘Housing NWT uses its Asset Management System, along with input from Local Housing Organizations and District Offices, to identify and prioritize units most in need of repair.”
“Decisions are based on health and safety concerns, the urgency of repairs, and what can be completed within available budgets. This ensures that the most critical repairs are addressed first,” added Gard.
Gard said that in most cases, repairs are completed while tenants remain in their homes, minimizing disruption.
“If the repairs are extensive and require temporary relocation, Housing NWT works with tenants to arrange alternative accommodations. The approach is tailored to each situation, with tenant safety and comfort as our top priorities,” said Gard.
My North Now reached out to the GNWT for more details and will share those when they become available.
