Iqaluit council approves 116-unit Hospital Hill public housing project
Proposal previously blocked by city committee
Nunavut Housing Corp. has the go-ahead from Iqaluit city council to build two 58-unit public housing apartments on these vacant lots at the base of Hospital Hill. (File photo by Arty Sarkisian)
This story was updated on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 9:15 a.m. ET.
A proposed 116-unit public housing development for the base of Iqaluit’s Hospital Hill received city council approval Tuesday night.
Councillors unanimously approved a development permit for the two 58-unit, five-storey structures, as well as third-reading of a bylaw that increases density limits for the area.
A set of now-demolished row homes previously occupied the Niaqunngusiariaq Road lots where the new builds will be.
“I’m obviously very happy to support this,” said deputy Mayor Kim Smith.
“I’ve been in favour of this development from the beginning.”
The proposed development has had a few hurdles since it was introduced at the planning and development committee in April.
The committee initially rejected the proposal, with some councillors raising concerns about parking and the city’s lack of a general development plan.
Nunavut Housing Corp. revised its application, and city staff brought the updated proposal to the April 28 council meeting, where it received a more positive reception.
When a public hearing was held in June for residents to weigh in, only two residents shared their thoughts – one in favour and one opposed to the proposal.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Smith added that the city should consider adding a playground nearby.
“This is 116 families that we’re talking about and a lot of children,” Smith said. “This is a huge influx of people into that area and it is a very busy road.”
Mayor Solomon Awa, Smith, Kyle Sheppard and Methusalah Kunuk were the only councillors in the chamber, while Romeyn Stevenson participated by videoconference.
Correction: This story has been updated to correct who revised the development application, and when it was introduced.
Has Harry been back to a meeting since he voted against this at committee?
It’s seems like every meeting it’s only a small handful of councillors that actually show up!
Does the city pay these councillors regardless of attendance or what?
I am happy to see that there will finally be more buildings being built in Iqaluit in that area however, very scary and bad area due to the men’s shelter there for the drunks.
IF there will be allot of kids especially playing around the playground, that is even more scarier as there are allot of pedophiles staying in that shelter. Think harder City Counselors and use your brains properly for once. There are so many better areas like road to nowhere or upper base or even in Apex where it is safer for children.
That’s the low barrier shelter and it will have moved to its new location across from the downtown Quickstop long before these buildings are complete
I strongly support the suggestion to build a playground in the neighbourhood.
Make sure the playground is on the north side of the road, so the children living in those 116 homes don’t have to keep crossing the main road to Apex.
Also, make sure to provide at least 2 parking spaces for each housing unit, also on the north side of the main street.
How many cars and pickup trucks and boats does the current plan provide space for?
Also, each housing unit needs a shed. That’s 116 shed on the north side of the road.
Or are these really intended to be housing for transient workers from the south?
Where are the 125 units per community or at least half?
I’m glad to see more public housing being built, but one thing about this project doesn’t make sense to me.
The original tender was issued when the zoning for this site didn’t allow 116 units. The City only approved the bylaw change afterward to make that density possible.
If the project changed in such a significant way after the tender was awarded, why wasn’t it retendered? Wouldn’t it have been fair to let all of the original bidders compete under the new rules instead of proceeding with a proposal that wasn’t permitted when the tender closed?
Maybe there’s a simple explanation, but it’s a fair question that deserves an answer.
Thank you CITY
Greatttt idea lol.. another super ghetto to be created on the main road.
It has been proven that buildings with sprinkler systems and common hallways are not appropriate to be used for social housing. Yet they ignore these very important facts. The issue is that homeless people or drunk people live in the common hallways, and kids break the sprinkler heads in the common hallways causing a flood. Plus, with 5 floors, now there is going to be elevators to worry about. Will there be 24 hour security watch in each of these buildings? This also applies to that new multistorey building recently built in Iqaluit, down the hill from the Frob. Good luck to those who have to maintain these type of buildings, and to the occupants of the buildings.
Buildings of this size should not be allowed to exist without security and a caretaker living on-site. You would never see an apartment like this without a superintendent living on-site down south.
No one is asking the important question, which is has anyone checked in with the Pangnirtung residents and see what they think? Are they aligned? Will it affect their buildings next to the water? Consultations must happen? Will the kids of Pangnirtung have access to the same playground and wet shelter? If not this development cannot possibly go forward.
always finding something to complain about. Complain complain complain. But who’s the ones being drunks, who’s the ones going to men’s shelters, who’s the ones not taking care of thier kids? Who’s the ones sitting outside b&w? Quit complaining and be the change you want to see.