The NWT’s MP says Ottawa and the territorial government have reached an agreement in principle to build at least 564 homes across the territory in the coming years.
The funding – which involves the new Build Canada Homes federal agency – was announced at the former Hilltop Apartments site in Yellowknife, which is being prepared for redevelopment.
At least 380 social, 130 affordable and 50 transitional or supportive homes will be built, the federal government said. NWT housing minister Lucy Kuptana said the governments aim to build the units by 2030.
NWT MP and Liberal cabinet member Rebecca Alty said a combined investment of more than $480 million is planned, with at least $75 million to support projects serving Indigenous communities.
Of the $480 million, $200 million is from Build Canada Homes, $190 million will come from the GNWT and another $90 million is expected “from other funding sources including private capital.”
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Alty said the federal government is also “finalizing another agreement to address critical infrastructure needs” – through the Build Communities Strong Fund – that will release up to $82.4 million over 10 years for housing and post-secondary infrastructure, with $74.5 million over three years for health infrastructure.
Kuptana said Monday’s announcement represented a major step in improving housing conditions throughout the territory.
She said the funding will help the GNWT expand housing development and tackle challenges such as removing derelict buildings.
“Addressing housing challenges requires governments, Indigenous partners, communities, industry, nonprofit organizations and the private sector to work together,” said Kuptana, “and that’s really important that we all work together, because we can’t do this alone.”
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Housing has been a major concern in the NWT for many years. Some isolated northern communities operate primarily with homes built in the 1960s or earlier, many of which are overcrowded, in poor condition or both.
Earlier this year, a territorial needs assessment stated the NWT has a housing deficit of between 1,750 and 2,700 units – and another 771 to 1,030 homes must be built over the next two decades to accommodate population growth.
Lesa Semmler, the territory’s health minister, said on Monday the federal $74.5-million health infrastructure funding commitment would strengthen the NWT’s healthcare system and reduce the need for residents to travel beyond smaller communities for care.
While specific projects have not been finalized, Semmler said potential priorities include new health cabins in Jean Marie River, Kakisa, Tsiigehtchic, Wekweètì, Nahanni Butte and Colville Lake.
She said the GNWT has submitted a proposed list of projects for federal approval and hopes work can begin in the coming months.
Semmler said the cabins would provide accommodation for visiting healthcare providers, making it easier for them to stay overnight in small communities while delivering services.
Other potential investments are upgrades to Fort McPherson’s health centre, expanded CT services and new medical equipment in Inuvik, an MRI suite and Indigenous wellness clinic in Yellowknife, and additional medical equipment to “benefit every region of the Northwest Territories.”
