NTI-led housing corporation a ‘turning point’ for Nunavut history, says Jeremy Tunraluk
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. aims to build between 150 and 160 houses over 5 years
From left, Qikiqtani Inuit Association vice-president Levi Barnabas, NTI president Jeremy Tunraluk, NTI vice-president Paul Irngaut and Kivalliq Inuit Association vice-president Patrick Tagoona pose for a photo Thursday after the announcement of the creation of Igluvut Corp. (Photo courtesy of Nunavut Tunngavik Inc.)
This story was updated on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, at 11 a.m. ET.
Nunavut Tunngavik Inc. has created a housing corporation that will manage new housing builds and mark a “turning point” in the territory’s history, says president Jeremy Tunraluk.
“For the first time, Inuit are leading and financing housing in Nunavut under our own institutions,” he said Thursday during a virtual news conference at NTI’s annual general meeting in Rankin Inlet.
Igluvut Corp. is a not-for-profit entity that will be tasked with delivering and managing affordable housing built by NTI for employed Inuit in Nunavut.
The total budget for NTI’s housing protects is $655 million, with $56 million coming from NTI and the rest provided through various federal government sources.
“This is a reclaiming of rights, a step toward completing the vision our elders fought for when they created Nunavut,” Tunraluk said.
As a starting point, NTI plans to build 150 to 160 affordable housing units over five years.
They will be three-bedroom rental units spread across Nunavut, costing tenants approximately $1,800 per month. That amount is comparable to Nunavut Housing Corp.’s public housing monthly rent ceiling of $1,792, and lower than market-based rents which in some cases can reach $4,000, according to materials provided by NTI.
Unlike staff housing provided by the Nunavut government, NTI’s homes will not be tied to employment at the corporation — instead, they’ll be geared toward Inuit who are earning income regardless of where they work.
One of the first developments will be built by Qikiqtani Inuit Association, according to QIA’s annual report. It will include 21 three-bedroom, single-detached units in High Arctic communities of Pond Inlet, Arctic Bay, Clyde River and Grise Fiord and should be ready for tenants by fall 2026.
As well, out of NTI’s $135-million Inuit Housing Fund, $72 million will be allocated to supportive housing such as shelters and elders housing units. An example is the Iqaluit Elder Society’s $60-million apartment complex that received $8 million from the fund. Work on that project is to begin next year.
Tunraluk said the new Inuit-led housing corporation is not a “short-term fix.”
“It’s a blueprint for complete Inuit housing system,” he said, “built for Inuit, by Inuit.”
NTI also said in a news release that it will be partly responsible for implementing the federal government’s plan to build 700 homes in the territory through the new Build Canada Homes agency.
Initially, the plan was to be delivered only by Nunavut Housing Corp., the Nunavut government’s house-building agency. Now, it will proceed as a partnership between federal and territorial governments and NTI.
NTI’s new housing initiatives come as the Nunavut government is in the middle of its own plan to get 3,000 housing units constructed by 2030.
Nunavut 3000 was announced in October 2022, but in the three years since the announcement only 18 public housing units have been built, according to an auditor general’s report in May.
Correction: This story was updated to correct which Inuit association Patrick Tagoona is associated with.
It is a start. Wishing nothing but the best of success for this initiative… but oh boy… it’s worrisome when quote, “It’s a blueprint for complete Inuit housing system,” he said, “built for Inuit, by Inuit.”. This definitely has the chance to succeed using experienced and track record proven Inuit builders but whatever they do, just DO NOT, under any circumstances attempt to duplicate anything from the NHC-NCCD (NCC 3000) NU 3000 project. That is a recipe for disaster. Stay as far away as possible from NCCD…or NCC 3000 or whatever their name is this week.
Then, just then, maybe this initiative will be successful.
So, ncc building 300 houses at approximately 700/square ft is bad? They are slow, but the units are being built. If anything the new group should try build at those low costs. You must have been layed off or something to keep stabbing away at nu.3000. Houses being built in every community is a great thing. The more the merrier. I read the reports, looks good to me.
So sorry Jimmy. Did you run out of Kool-Aid? Not laid off from anything to do with that NU 3000 disaster but nice try. The rest of us will just live in the real world. One needs only to be curious and interest. Then go and find, read, research and watch to learn the facts. Clearly NOT the quote, “Report” you read.
FACTS:
* 150 homes were contractually required to be delivered to NHC by NCCD (or NCC 3000) on October 31, 2024 (yeah 2024). Total delivered as of October 2025 = 18. That is 132 homes that are over 1 YEAR LATE and most will not be delivered until perhaps this Fall , perhaps late this year (dates keep changing..surprise) and into mid 2027 (yeah 2027). So anywhere from 1 year to 18 months late. That’s not quote, “slow” Jimmy. (Source: NCC’s own documents online concerning delivery dates, statements made in the Legislative Assembly by past Housing Minister and NHC CEO dating back as far as Oct 2024 (all available to watch on GN archived Webcast), The AG Report and multiple media reports)
* 166 homes were contractually required to be delivered to NHC by NCCD (or NCC 3000) by December 31, 2025 (that is in 2 months). Total to be delivered Dec 31, 2025 = ZERO, NONE. Delivery is currently projected (emphasis on projected) for Mid 2026, late 2026 and into mid 2027. That’s 6,12,18 months late. That is not quote “slow” either Jimmy. (Source: Now former Minister of Housing and the current CEO of NHC in the Legislative Assembly as far back as Oct 2024, in Feb, May and Sept 2025 advised they will be delivered late (all on archived GN Webcasts). The NHC’s own Documents on its website concerning delivery dates. Multiple media reports. Statements made by NHC CEO in Televised Committee hearings Sept 4th & 5th).
* $700.00 per sq ft. More like $775.00 per sq ft and that is only after the first $30 million Extra received from NCCD (or NCC 3000). Still a long way to go for lots more potential EXTRAS. That cost also does not include various costs NHC has admitted it removed from NCCD (or NCC 3000) contractual responsibility and is covering those costs elsewhere, without including them in the sq. ft costs. (Source: NHC own documents online, Media reports, Legislative Assembly statements by Housing Minister & CEO, going as far back as Oct 2024, Committee Hearings Sept 4th & 5th and multiple media reports).
You see this is the problem with people who drink the Kool-Aid. They believe the rest of us are not smart enough or more importantly interested enough to actually be interested in the truth and want the truth exposed. There is lots or information out there. One only needs to spend a little time looking. Words, propaganda, misinformation, games, photo-ops and lies do not build houses. Action does.
So yes, I hope very much Igluvut Corp. succeeds. Because Nunavummiut desperately, desperately need homes. That is all that should matter to anyone. If they can manage $700.00 per sq ft, all the more power to them. Igluvut Corp. success would be welcomed and celebrated across the territory and perhaps encourage other Organizations to start building. One can only hope they see and saw the flaws in NU 3000 and build a plan and project to ensure it does not repeat those same errors. And most importantly. Stays away from those who caused them.
That’s it Jimmy. So, you go on waiting for NHC & NCCD (NCC 3000)…. and mix up some more Kool-Aid while your at it..
Who will maintain these units as the current LHO maintenance crews cannot cope with the workload they have.
I agree, who will look after these units, while so many others fall into disrepair and mould.
Why did the premier or his Housing
Minister not run in the Election ,
Auditor Generals report on Nunavut 3000, is a disaster, and the next group of MLAs will have to deal with this mess, I pity the next housing minister, this next housing minister will be behind the 8 ball soon
Gonna all be newfies building these houses lets not kid our selves
Inuit owned and built at 1800.00 month only apply, now NTI is a landlord, rent collecter
And maintenance contractor, a whole different group of relatives will be hired,but at least houses are being , or prefabs from Quebec
There is always negativity coming out of these armchair experts. Constant negativity. Get out there and make a difference, spread positivity and encourage your friends and family to do the same. Why is there so much fud inside the minds of these keyboard warriors?
Wishing you all the best this weekend with your family and friends.
As a Kitikmeot Resident I think you should probably be highly concerned there’s no one from the Kitikmeot in that photo. KitIA couldn’t send anyone? Seems pretty important but like always KitIA just does not show up.
Baffin has already got 21 modulars from Quebec brought up as part of this, KivIA built a factor in Arviat, and KitIA has done? Nothing.
If you watched the NTI AGM online, you will see that James Eetoolook was also there as the President of Kitikmeot Inuit Association.
Good things will come from Igluvut Corporation for all Nunavummiut. Inuit from all across Nunavut will work together to help towards to housing issue we currently face.
Be positive, good things are coming.
Good things will come…if you’re employed…
It is good on the mind and soul to be optimistic. I assue you that if you think positive, do good things, help when you can, good things will come.
If you’re an eternal pessimist, do wrong, put down everything that crosses your path, you are likely just going to continue on that path where nothing ever good comes.
Wishing you the best.
Do you want to work? Education and hard pursue of employment……
Additional housing and another stream of quasi-private housing will help diversify the nascent market.
People are much more flexile in employment changes – though the options are pretty limited in the communities being built in first.
Would be helpful for Inuit in GN or Fed jobs in staff housing that want to retire in the community. That piece is missing right now.
I would want to look hard a the sustainability.. $1,800/mo for a 3 BR is very low rent for any long term rental operation. Even if the capital side is heavily subsidized.
Wish them well with this project.
Its well known NTI and NHC do not see eye to eye so who on earth is taking care of these units? That’s not enough money to create a ton of units over 26 towns and create new essentially NTI LHO operations.
A lot of our little towns don’t have private contractors they just have LHO’s so who is going to take care of things? Or does NTI have another huge stream of money to essentially create their own LHO equivalent in each town?
A start is a start, but there’s some glaring issues here that I am hoping will come to light in future news releases.
With NTI you have to hope for the best but honestly expect the worst!
This new corp is doing the maintenance.
That does not answer any of my questions. How? Is there a second massive pot of money for their own equivalent LHOs? If not how will they use third party contractors when some towns have none?
Its the how that is the question.
NTI is for Baffin and Baffin alone, the others, stop wasting your time for anything. notice a token Kivallmliut? Top jobs are for iqalutmiut, important job are for Baffinmiut….
$1800
That’s a lot of $$$$$
At least Iqaluit Housing only charge 25% of the tenants income
160 units at $1,800 rent in all 25 communities, designed, built and managed by Inuit for employed Inuit. This is just music to any optimist. Nunavut is going places. Inuit are taking matters into their own hands and are walking away from pointing fingers at the GN and NHC.
This is something that we must be proud of. For those tasked with running the affairs of the new housing corporation please make sure that 1) you have a clear plan about how houses will be maintained in 25 communities, the majority of which do not have a hardware store and rely on the LHO for maintenance 2) Are you going to have LHOs to maintain these homes 3) Are you going to have housing allocation committees and is the allocation going to be fair open and transparent 4) Is $1800 sustainable? Although the homes will be subsidized, is $1800 reasonable and will you be able top grow a reserve to maintain homes? 5) Have you considered the possibility of fires
$1,800 for a 3 bedroom sounds great. I hope it truly happens. At least they appear to be trying. It’s better late than never if what they say is true. The only thing is, “Built for Inuit, by Inuit” $599 million of the $655 million comes from the FEDS which means it comes from every Canadian tax payer across the country. Not so independent after all. But overall, if the words and promises can translate in action and results, let’s get started. Hearing this must really irk the big landlords in town.