Cambridge Bay, Nunavut (May 23, 2024) – On Thursday, May 16, the Nunavut Housing Corporation (NHC) and the Kitikmeot Inuit Association (KitIA) announced a Partnership Agreement to design and deliver a new initiative called the Nunavut Pathway to Homeownership Pilot Program (NPHO) in the Kitikmeot Region.

The Partnership Agreement brings together the expertise of NHC and KitIA with the objective of increasing homeownership in Nunavut to address the need for a more stable, long-term housing solution. The pilot program is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to save for a down payment towards the purchase of a home and to access bank financing.

“The Nunavut Pathway to Homeownership Pilot Program bridges a critical gap in the housing continuum between tenancy and homeownership,” said Lorne Kusugak, Minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corporation. “By partnering with KitIA to deliver financial literacy and homeownership skills training that reflects Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles, we can better equip prospective homeowners, and support them in their path to homeownership.”

The initial pilot cohort will consist of four Inuit families from Cambridge Bay. Each family will be provided with a leased unit in a newly constructed four-plex, will make regular monthly rent payments to NHC, and will participate in a structured financial literacy and homeownership skills training program over the span of three years. After completion of the training, eligible participants will have the option to purchase a homeownership unit and may receive a NPHO grant of up to $30,000 to be put toward their home purchase.

“KitIA recognizes the importance of homeownership for Inuit across the region and is pleased to work with NHC on the delivery of this innovative new pilot program,” said Robert Greenley, President of the Kitikmeot Inuit Association. “Supporting Inuit in pursuing their housing needs and seeking opportunities for homeownership will help to improve the wellbeing of families in our region”.

NHC is actively exploring ways to reduce barriers to homeownership through the introduction of its new and modernized suite of housing and homeownership programs. For more information about the other programs available, please visit the Nunavut Housing Corporation’s website.