Nunavut MLAs complain about public housing allocations

A social housing unit under construction in Cambridge Bay. (FILE PHOTO)

Some Nunavut MLAs aren’t happy about the Nunavut Housing Corp.’s housing allocations recently announced by the minister responsible for the NHC, Peter Taptuna, the legislative assembly heard May 16.

Taptuna announced the allocations, setting out which Nunavut communities can expect to see new public housing units built by the end of 2014, in a minister’s statement May 15.

Taptuna’s answer to MLAs about why certain communities didn’t get any housing allocation was the same for each one: the allocation is based on a fair and transparent needs assessment and calculated using formula — the number of people on each community waiting list divided by the current number of public housing units in that community.

The allocation method has been used for years by Nunavut Housing Corp. This time the corporation’s new board approved the allocations

“In the past, there were all of these difficulties with the Nunavut Housing Corp. and there have been over-expenditures. This House had requested that a board be formed for the Nunavut Housing Corp.,” Taptuna said.

He also said infrastructure is a factor: if a community is maxed out in their power generating capacity, there’s no way any more infrastructure or units can go into a certain community.

Hudson Bay MLA Alan Rumbolt said he was deeply disappointed in the allocations, since Sanikiluaq will get no new housing from the $100 million fund announced in the federal budget last March, and which will be used over two years to build about 250 new units in Nunavut.

“The 13 communities that are not receiving new public housing units are being left out and the government has not provided a clear explanation for this decision,” he said.

He agreed that Nunavut is facing a housing crisis.

“Sanikiluaq is also facing a housing crisis. So is Pond Inlet. So is Arctic Bay. So is Cape Dorset. I could name all the communities in Nunavut,” Rumbolt said.

“Although the delivery of the Nunavut Housing Trust was far from perfect, the fact that every community received some assistance, even if it was just a few new units, demonstrated to the public that the cabinet was committed to the well-being of all communities,” he said.

Rumbolt said there is still time for the government to take a second look at the allocation list, as it is subject to change.

However, Taptuna said the list would only be changed if any unforeseeable circumstances arose, such as construction problems, and that he is committed to maximizing the number of units built with the federal money.

“We do not want to risk losing the funds from the federal government,” he said, referring to the housing fiasco of 2010.

Amittuq MLA Louis Tapardjuk aksed why Igoolik is only getting five units, when there is a long waiting list for housing there.

“Some of us are envious but we’re very happy for those communities who will be receiving the public housing,” Tapardjuk said.

When asked by Quttiktuq MLA Ron Elliott why the communities he represents did not receive any housing allocations, Taptuna said, “it’s the same scenario again… at the next funding round, I’m hoping we don’t have to do this.”

To fix the housing shortage, Nunavut needs more than 3,500 units, Taptuna said.

“We’re trying to maximize the number of units for the $100 million. That’s a step in the right direction. If we keep squandering that, it’s going to become more difficult to secure any more funding as time goes on,” he said.

“There are a lot of communities and jurisdictions that are envious of what’s happening up here,” Taptuna said.

With more economic activity and wage employment, there will be opportunities for people to buy their homes, he added.

Tununiq MLA Joe Enook asked why Pond Inlet didn’t qualify for any housing on the list, “not even one house from the $100 million.”

“This is third-party money and I am responsible to maximize [it],” Taptuna said.

He said the GN originally asked for $300 million, but is grateful for the $100 million.

“Most jurisdictions out there are wondering how the Government of Nunavut did that,” he said.

Nattilik MLA Jeannie Ugyuk expressed appreciation for the federal funding — adding that her constituents in Taloyoak are eagerly anticipating the new 10 units allotted to that community.

When people wait many years on a waiting list for housing, and then receive housing, the response can be overwhelming and make people cry, she said.

“That is how much Nunavummiut suffer due to our extreme housing shortage in our communities,” she said.