NTI releases $135M Inuit-led plan for affordable housing in Nunavut
Igluvut Corporation run by representatives of regional Inuit associations and NTI
The corporation, called Igluvut Corporation, is a not-for-profit organization run by representatives from each regional Inuit association and two representatives from Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. (NTI).
In a news release on Wednesday, NTI said it has an initial $135 million to work with — $72 million from the federal government’s 2022 budget and $63 million from the federal government’s repayment of the Nunavut Agreement Negotiation Loan.
“This is Inuit self-determination in action, creating affordable housing solutions that meet Inuit needs, and strengthens our communities,” NTI vice-president Paul Irngaut said in the news release.
Irngaut told CBC News the group has been discussing how best to allocate the money.
Some of it, he said, will go towards affordable housing, some for women’s shelters, men’s shelters, youth homes and elders homes. He said the housing won’t be tied to employment, so that creates independence and allows residents to move for family or opportunity rather than being linked to their jobs.
“This is historic,” he said.
He said they’re still determining what each community will be getting but he expects work on the first homes to start by April 2026.
With files from Selma Eccles
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