Inuvik’s new approach to emergency housing for women and children

A tiny home village is set to open in Inuvik next fall, designed to provide housing and supports to women and children fleeing family violence.

The facility will offer housing units, counselling and childcare to help residents on their healing journeys. The full scope of services and programming is still in development.

The village is expected to open in October 2025.

“It’s all part of a bigger puzzle. It’s not going to solve all the challenges we face, but it’s a step in the direction we feel will meaningfully support people,” said Kelly McLeod, president of the Nihtat Gwich’in Council, the organization leading the initiative.

“It’s no secret that the North and Canada – and particularly Inuvik – has a challenge with illicit drugs and the challenges that come along with that,” said McLeod, “but the facility really is designed to support women and their children and their families in fleeing from gender-based violence.”

The village will be made up of six two-bedroom transitional homes, eight shelter units and a central hall, where programs, community gatherings and private services will take place.

At maximum capacity, the village can accommodate 14 families, McLeod said.

The project is a collaboration between the Nihtat Gwich’in Council, Gwich’in Tribal Council, Gwich’in Development Corporation and federal government.

Local partners proposed a site for the village with historical significance, according to McLeod.

“When Inuvik was created, the Gwich’in used to have a tent town right across the road,” McLeod explained.

“If we can bring our people full circle – back to when Inuvik was first created, prior to residential school systems, prior to the oil boom days, prior to all the social challenges that came out of all that stuff, all the trauma that came out of all that stuff – we can set them on a path of success. That’s our vision here.”

New approach

McLeod said the services in place today are not addressing the complex challenges people face in his community.

By contrast, he said, the village project draws from first-hand experience and discussions with the community on housing and mental health services, violence, homeless shelters, wet and dry shelters, and more.

“This idea came out of … hearing people’s personal stories and the need for some additional supports and changes from the current system, that seems to be just checking a box,” said McLeod.

“We’re trying to be innovative and find actual solutions to some challenges, not put band-aids on challenges.”

McLeod said there will be no limit to how long residents can stay, adding that the timeline will be defined by each resident’s journey.

“The question came back: what happens when you fill up the facility?” McLeod said.

“Our response was: then, we need to build more.”

He said the project has secured funding from the federal government for 20 to 25 years after the facility opens. Other organizations delivering social services in the North have expressed concern over what tends to be short-term and precarious funding for such programs.

“We’re super thankful to the funders for recognizing that there needs to be improvement for this type of service,” said McLeod. “The continued operation of projects is key.”

‘It needs to be homegrown’

Solutions need to come from the community to properly address challenges, according to McLeod.

“Somebody imposing a system on us or telling us how it needs to be done is probably not going to work,” he said. “We need to be working with the individuals and families that do access our facilities and continually improve upon it.”

McLeod said local organizations have big housing plans in the area, and this project is just the start.

“The Nihtat Gwich’in and the GTC are working on long-term housing solutions and affordable home solutions in the community to be able to support people when they’re ready,” McLeod said.

“We’re going to really try to put our best foot forward and make a positive impact on our people and their journeys.”