Everyone needs a place to live. Suitable, accessible, and affordable housing is essential to building safe, vibrant communities, and enhancing economic growth and business development. Housing programs integrated with other social supports are key to addressing gaps in the northern housing continuum, including housing for seniors, Elders and persons with disabilities.
The GNWT cannot address the housing crisis alone. Indigenous governments are leading the way to advance successful housing initiatives and implement creative solutions that meet local needs and enhance community autonomy to address housing issues. Access to land for housing and collaborative solutions to manage skilled labour shortages and high development and construction costs will help expand housing options for all northerners. To improve the suitability, accessibility, and affordability of housing options in the NWT, the GNWT will:
- Increase housing availability for all residents by working with partners to address gaps in the northern housing continuum including more transitional and supportive living options;
- Collaborate across departments and with partners to support vulnerable residents, prevent and reduce homelessness, and encourage self-sufficiency;
- Work with Indigenous, federal, and community governments, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to secure sustainable funding for housing now and into the future;
- Encourage private investment in housing by reducing administrative and regulatory barriers to housing development, and by implementing clear processes to increase the amount of land available for housing development in communities;
- Support residents to gain skills and education in the trades through a range of programs and partnerships.