Kinngait is set to receive up to 70 new public housing units by 2030 as part of the Nunavut 3000 initiative, a major territorial project aimed at addressing severe housing shortages in Nunavut. Last week, a team from Nunavut Housing Corp., the Department of Community and Government Services, NCC Land Development Ltd., the Lands for Homes Initiative, and Brighter Community visited Kinngait to inspect potential land for these new units. This visit was part of a three-week tour covering 10 communities.
The project aims to start construction on 20 housing units in Kinngait, which has a population of 1,441, by the end of this year. Additionally, the hamlet will receive two modular units for RCMP staff housing. The Nunavut 3000 project, announced in 2022, responds to the widespread issue of overcrowded housing in Nunavut, where 35% of homes lack sufficient bedrooms compared to 5% nationally. Current housing in Kinngait often accommodates multiple generations under one roof, with some homes built in the 1960s. Assistant Senior Administrative Officer Janice Mathewsie highlighted severe overcrowding, citing her cousin Mary Mathewsie’s five-bedroom house, which shelters over a dozen residents without adequate fire safety.
The team’s visit to Kinngait included inspecting about 5 to 10 potential housing sites and engaging with local leaders and residents. The project is part of a broader $2.6 billion initiative, with $900 million from the private sector and the rest from government and Inuit organizations. Nunavut Housing Corp. and NCC Development Ltd. will handle a significant portion of the construction, aiming to address the territory’s pressing housing needs. Kinngait Mayor Jimmy Manning expressed enthusiasm for the new units, emphasizing that resolving the housing crisis is a top priority for the community.
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