Nunavut Housing Corporation

Public Housing

The NHC delivers the Public Housing Program in all 25 Nunavut communities through close cooperation with our local partners. The financial resources and professional support needed to provide ongoing public housing services to Nunavummiut are made available through management agreements between the NHC and the Local Housing Organizations [LHO].

Find your local housing organization's contact information here.

Public Housing Eligibility

To be eligible for public housing, an individual or family must meet certain criteria related to age, residency, income, arrears, and other factors.

To ensure that allocation of public housing units is done fairly across the territory; Local Housing Organizations use a point rating system to determine need.

Individuals and families interested in applying for public housing should contact their local housing organization to see if they are eligible, and fill out an application.

Nunavut is experiencing a housing shortage, and almost all communities have a significant wait-list for public housing allocation.

How Public Housing Works In Nunavut

The Public Housing Program is an income tested rental program which provides subsidized housing to tenants based on their income and ability to pay rent. As an income tested program, eligibility for Public Housing is based on the verification of income to meet the community Core Need Income Threshold.

All Public Housing in Nunavut uses the Public Housing Rent Scale, a rent-geared-to-income sliding scale designed to ensure that public housing rents remain fair and affordable.

In 2014, the NHC implemented changes to the Public Housing Rent Scale that were intended to reduce disincentives to employment, support the goals of poverty reduction, and make the calculation of rents fairer for tenants.

Public Housing rent is assessed based on the total gross income(s) of only the one or two Primary Tenants in the unit, and is based on an annual assessment of income. Rents are assessed based on the following income brackets:

  • A minimum rent of $60.00 a month for annual income under $33,280 PLUS
  • 20% of annual income between $33,280 and $40,000 PLUS
  • 25% of annual income between $40,000 and $80,000 PLUS
  • 30% of annual income over $80,000

Other important factors regarding rent and income assessment:

  • Monthly rent is $60.00 for units where the total income of the Primary Tenant(s) is less than $33,280 a year. (Minimum rent)
  • Rent increases due to income increases are limited to 25% of the new rent assessed per year until the rent assessed total is reached.
  • Primary Tenants 60 years of age and older (Elders) are assessed rent only on the portion of their individual incomes greater than the community Core Need Income Threshold (CNIT).
  • Primary Tenants who are full-time students may be exempt from rent.
  • Rent deductions may be made for the following:
    • The community specific Cost of Living Allowance (COLA)
    • Under accommodation within the unit
    • Condition rating of the unit
    • Unit specific livability deduction (for the old small units)
  • Rents are calculated on September 1st using the previous year’s income.
  • LHOs can reduce rents immediately if there is a long-term loss of income.
  • The maximum rent charged for a Public Housing unit, regardless of income is the Rent Ceiling. The Rent Ceilings apply for all Nunavut communities, and are listed below.
    Bachelor 1 bedroom 2 bedroom 3 bedroom 4 bedroom 5 bedroom
    $814/month $1,140/month $1,466/month $1,792/month $2,118/month $2,443/month

* Public Housing tenants who are having concerns with meeting rental payments should contact their Local Housing Organization as soon as possible.

Public Housing Delivery Agents and Partners

Local Housing Organizations

The Corporation is partnered at the community level with LHOs. Most LHOs are formed as Societies with locally elected Boards of Directors; however, a few are Authorities with board members appointed by the Minister. Our local partners are responsible for the complete care of the Public Housing portfolio, from unit allocations, to rental assessments and collections, to maintenance and repairs. As well, they perform most of the day-to-day duties associated with program delivery to individuals and families.

District Offices

Delivery of services and support to communities is managed through the NHC’s 3 District Offices. District Offices set regional priorities and work with LHOs and individual clients to ensure programs are being delivered to appropriate standards through monitoring and assessment. The District Office is responsible for ensuring the construction program is successfully delivered in their region. They are also responsible for the day to day interactions with the GN and outside agencies.

Modernization and Improvement To Our Public Housing Stock

In addition to the regular maintenance and upkeep performed on Public Housing units by our LHO partners, NHC is continually engaged in modernization and retrofits to upgrade the public housing stock. These can involve expansions, energy efficiency upgrades, and major renovations, in order to ensure the continued suitability and adequacy of our public housing units.

New Public Housing Construction

Every year NHC, in partnership with local delivery agents and private contractors, builds new public housing units across Nunavut. These are allocated according to a targeted delivery aimed at easing the shortage in communities most in need. Public housing construction is an important investment in the infrastructure of our territory. It improves the health and wellness of our communities and creates the necessary infrastructure for economic growth and productivity. Housing construction also offers valuable opportunities for hands-on training and job creation.