GN needs Iqaluit businesses to help support local shelters: minister
Homelessness is “too big of an issue for the government to address on its own”
The Government of Nunavut wants local Iqaluit businesses to step up and support the operating costs for Iqaluit’s two shelters, the Sivummut House and Uquutaq Shelter.
Monica Ell, Nunavut’s minister responsible for homelessness, said the shelters provide “a much needed service for a vulnerable sector of Nunavummiut” in a Nov. 5 minister’s statement.
Ell said she was looking forward to following up with local businesses “to find how we can work together to tackle this growing issue in our capital city.”
The Nunavut Housing Corporation’s budget for homelessness is $400,000, she said.
“These limited funds, Mr. Speaker, are essential to the operation of the shelters and are intended to support all homeless shelters and initiatives throughout the 25 communities in Nunavut,” said Ell, adding that homeless shelters are expected “to seek out additional financial resources to assist with capital, operational and maintenance costs not covered by the GN.”
Homelessness is “too big of an issue for the government to address on its own,” she said.
Ell’s minster’s statement comes after the GN asked for $350,000 for the development of an action plan and strategy on housing and homelessness.
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