Tenants struggle with NWT’s market housing rent hike

Weeks after tenants began receiving notice of an increase, the GNWT confirmed rates for market rental units operated by Housing NWT are going up.

Units in the Market Housing Program are a form of public housing offered in the territory’s smaller communities.

The price hike will make the cost of a bachelor unit $1,202 per month and a three-bedroom unit $1,938 per month, though the GNWT said rates may vary slightly. (The rates prior to the change were not immediately available. The new rates are listed on the territory’s website.)

The territory’s housing authority says market rental rates had previously “remained stable since 2012” but costs had increased dramatically.

“Sustained inflation now necessitates an adjustment in line with current market conditions and to reflect operating costs,” the GNWT stated.

The new rent scale – which is the same for every NWT community – is said to be based on the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s 2023 annual report as well as 2023 Yellowknife market rental rates.

The updated rates are 10 percent less than market rates in Yellowknife “to ensure they are more affordable than average,” according to the GNWT, which said the increase is needed to line up with the private market.

In a press release, the territory said the changes will also “facilitate market housing opportunities for Indigenous Governments and private landlords that want to enter the market.”

$1,138 to $1,938 monthly

For some tenants, the price increase is hard to take.

A tenant in Fort Liard – who requested anonymity to discuss a matter involving their public landlord – said his rent will increase by 70 percent, from $1,138 to $1,938 monthly, by August.

This, he said, will account for his entire month’s paycheque.

The rent increase will include the cost of heating fuel, said the tenant, but the increase is more than twice the cost they currently pay for that fuel.

He said gradual rent increases had been implemented over the past several years – but nothing like this one.

To the tenant, the Fort Liard unit is not worth $1,938 per month.

“It flexes in the summer and winter – like all houses do – but ours gets little bits of plaster coming down sometimes,” said the tenant.

“We’ve had weasel infestations, mice infestations, there’s no proper plywood floor underneath our master bedroom-bathroom – it’s just insulation – and I’m not sure how it’s held up.”

‘I don’t like the idea of leaving’

The tenant acknowledged that Housing NWT has helped to tackle some repairs and the Department of Environment and Climate Change has tried to address infestations.

Even so, he and his spouse aren’t yet sure how they will manage the added expense and do not think anything more affordable will be available in Fort Liard, due to the housing shortage in both the community and the broader NWT.

Moving out of the territory, he said, might be one of the few remaining options.

“Liard is home now and I don’t like the idea of leaving it,” said the tenant.

“I love everything about Liard. Everything. There’s not one bad thing I can comment on. It’s beautiful and if I have to move, we’re going to miss it desperately.”

He thinks the price hike is likely to have a similar effect on others. The CBC has also documented concern from tenants and organizations representing the likes of teachers.

“I know multiple teachers and social services people who will be moving out either before August or after August,” said the tenant.

“The communities – not just Fort Liard – are going to lose a lot of professionals that the towns desperately, desperately need.”