Housing Crisis worsening in Nunavut

“Nunavut is locked in a housing crisis that is worsening daily as the population booms and existing housing stock ages.”


Study: northern houses the most run-down in Canada
In Nunavut and Nunavik more than one in five houses need major repairs

http://www.nunatsiaqonline.ca/stories/article/101010_northern_homes_in_worse_shape_than_southern_homes/

Housing, and Community Infrastructure

Statistics Canada stated that, “Inuit live in some of the most crowded living conditions in Canada.”13 Nearly four in 10 Inuit in Nunavut live in crowded conditions – a rate 13 times higher than for other Canadians. Inuit homes are nearly four times as likely to require major repairs. Inadequate and overcrowded housing can be
linked to high rates of violence and respiratory illnesses in Inuit communities. Tuberculosis rates among Inuit in Nunavut are 70 times the Canadian average. Recent research has shown that, “Inuit infants have the highest reported rate of hospital admissions because of lower respiratory tract infections in the world.” This rate is attributed in part to crowded, poorly ventilated homes.

Housing: Renew the major funding agreements that will pay for desperately needed new housing stock for the territory. Estimates suggest as much as $1.9 billion dollars is needed to satisfy current housing needs. While the GN is responsible for ensuring that its systems are efficient and its housing programs are well targeted to meet the greatest needs first, it has little financial capacity to meet these needs without federal assistance.

The Nunavut housing crisis and its causes are well documented. The consequences of this crisis include too many families being forced to live in woefully poor housing conditions. The destructive impacts of this situation are felt by all Nunavummiut. Intolerable housing conditions harm the health and well-being of individuals and families, and impairing the education and social development of Nunavut’s children and youth.
Nunavummiut spoke of the long waiting lists for houses, significant overcrowding, unaffordable rents, the poor condition of the housing stock, houses that are unsuitable for the elderly or people with disabilities, and new housing designs that do not meet the needs of communities. The situation is so dire that families are occupying homes that would otherwise be condemned. Home owners and prospective home-owners are concerned about the very high cost of purchasing a home, and the difficulties in properly maintaining a home.

People also spoke of housing policies and guidelines that stop entrepreneurship or act as disincentives to people re-entering the workforce. They questioned policies that allow staff housing to sit empty in communities where there is considerable overcrowding.

Nunavummiut raised concerns about the Nunavut Housing Corporation‘s communications and the completeness of program information. Some people are asking for programs that educate people on how to maintain homes, and for NHC to adopt policies and procedures that discourage tenants from damaging units. Local Housing Associations (LHA) also raised concerns about their mandates including concerns about unclear roles, responsibilities, and operational inefficiencies.
Since 2000, the NHC has been providing housing assistance through its various rental, ownership, and maintenance housing programs. The Corporation has introduced many initiatives designed to address some of the Nunavut’s housing problems. The Nunavut Housing Trust Initiative is one example of a cooperative project undertaken by NHC and Nunavut Tunngavik Inc (NTI) to find solutions to some of the housing problems. However, it is evident that even with these types of interventions, the GN does not have the resources or capacity required to address the immediate housing emergency, nor the emerging demands. Without an influx of substantive new funding, the housing problems will continue to grow and become even more detrimental to the social and economic foundation of Nunavut communities, and to Inuit self-reliance. Even with more financial resources, the NHC faces a daunting task. While Nunavut communities are unique within Canada they are not uniform. Each community has its own character, priorities, and housing requirements.
The NHC is also mandated to ensure that all housing activity, to the extent possible, maximizes the potential training and business opportunities for the local community. The GN faces a formidable challenge in designing and implementing program interventions that will address the immediate housing crisis while supporting the development of sustainable economies at the local level.