Federal government to invest over $27 million in Nunavut housing

IQALUIT – The Government of Canada will invest over $27 million to fast track 459 housing units in Nunavut communities over the next three years.

Construction of over 3,100 homes is expected to take place over the next decade with a focus on enabling higher density housing, land availability, capacity building and affordability, a Government of Canada release stated.

“The most pressing need in Nunavut is the lack of housing. Building more affordable homes in Iqaluit can result in benefits to all Nunavummiut. Working together, we can support Nunavummiut to contribute to Nunavut and Canada’s economy, and while more needs to be done, this will help,” Nunavut MP Lori Idlout said in a statement.

The first signed agreement is with the City of Iqaluit for $8.9 million to fast-track 160 housing units over the next three years through the Housing accelerator Fund.

The funding will support reducing parking requirements, increasing building heights on targeted corridors, streamlining development application processes, creating a private land development framework and expanding affordable housing delivery with non-profit providers, the release said.

Launched in March 2023, the Housing Accelerator Fund is a $4 billion Government of Canada initiative that will run until 2026-27.