Housing NWT has begun the process of formally taking over three vacant downtown Yellowknife lots to build 50 units of affordable housing alongside new retail and office space.
The complex was announced last year when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Yellowknife to publicize a $20.8-million federal investment in the project.
“This project includes 25 barrier-free studio units for seniors, people with mobility challenges and singles, as well as 25 two-bedroom units for small families,” Housing NWT said on Monday.
It’s expected to open in the fall of 2026. Housing NWT said work to “remediate the site” had begun before foundation work in the coming spring.
The City of Yellowknife donated the land, equating to an $825,000 contribution. The federal money comes from the Rapid Housing Initiative, while the NWT government will cover operational funding.
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The 50 Street lots had been on the market for years without any significant interest. The closest they came to any sustained use was when northern non-profit Ecology North turned them into a pop-up park for two summers in 2019 and 2020.
In last Friday’s Capital Update newsletter, the city said it had approved a development permit for the project. The complex is set to be built along three lots next to The Raven Pub, opposite the lower Centre Square Mall.
The ground level will feature what Housing NWT called a “commercial floor,” while the building will also be home to Housing NWT’s North Slave district office and the Yellowknife Housing Authority.
“Co-locating these partner organizations at a high-profile and accessible location will encourage synergy between the organizations and centre client-focused housing services downtown, resulting in increased foot traffic and activity along 50 Street,” Housing NWT said in a statement.
The newly built units will allow Housing NWT to move some tenants whose public units are currently leased by the GNWT from private landlords, which the territory says will reduce its reliance on those landlords and free up rental units elsewhere.
