As Inuvik shelters switch hands, operators want to see transitional supports next

A new contractor will take over operations of the Inuvik Warming Shelter on April 1 — closely following a switch at another Inuvik shelter — as Housing N.W.T. takes a step back from operating the two locations.

In January, operational responsibility at the Inuvik Homeless Shelter shifted from Housing N.W.T. to the Inuvik Shelter Advisory Board. Housing N.W.T. began operating the shelters on an interim basis in 2021.

Peggy Day, chair of the Inuvik Shelter Advisory Board, says she is happy to see the responsibility placed back in the hands of community organizations.

“I believe it’s a good transition … And, it was kind of good for the government to take it over as well because they saw how much it costs to house all our homeless,” said Day.

While change isn’t always smooth, with changing staff and ways of doing things, Day believes the government being involved for some time at the Inuvik shelters has contributed to the increase in funding they are seeing now.

“Before the government took over, we were always short for pay or short for bills and food, and always begging and borrowing from anybody and everybody. But now with the government transitioning it back over, we’re better funded,” said Day.

She said the majority of individuals they serve have been happy with the transition.

The shelter is a dry facility, for clients that aren’t under the influence of substances. Day said this means they have clients who are ready to move out, but without additional supports it isn’t always a sustainable move for individuals.

“The dry shelter is like a really revolving door with housing where they would get approved to move into housing and they get a unit and they have no more support. No more support to help them on their healing journey.”

She said a transitional home in Inuvik is needed to help those that are ready to leave the shelters.

Warming shelter preparing for new operations

Also in the community, and preparing for a switch in operations, is the Inuvik Warming Shelter.

Northwest Territories Integration and Community Services (NWT-ICS) is a Yellowknife-based non-profit organization registered in 2023 — it will also be responsible for operations beginning next month.

The facility can serve up to 24 people, including those under the influence of substances, and it supports community needs during winter months. The contract is for one year with a budget of just under $1.5 million.

Housing N.W.T. will still play a role in oversight. That’ll include assessing operations at the shelter, including occupancy rates and safety incidents. NWT-ICS will be responsible for hiring and training staff at the shelter, along with ensuring the staff to client ratio meets or exceeds best practices.

In a statement to CBC News, Housing N.W.T. said the Inuvik Warming Shelter, typically has a minimum of two staff and a manager present with additional staffing considered depending on support needs or number of clients.

“Where possible, maintaining experienced local staff is encouraged to support service continuity and community knowledge. Ultimately, staffing decisions will be determined by the incoming operator,” wrote Laura Busch, Housing N.W.T. manager of communications.

Busch added that a team with Housing N.W.T. will go to Inuvik with NWT-ICS staff to co-ordinate the official handover of operations.

“Housing N.W.T. and NWT-ICS are focused on maintaining continuity of services for individuals accessing the Inuvik Warming Centre and minimizing disruption to clients and staff during the transition period.”

CBC News did not hear back from NWT-ICS before deadline.

A report written by Jocelyn Shepel 

Related stories from around the North: 

Canada: N.W.T. gov’t scrapping $100K to family violence shelters, shelters say bring it back, CBC News