Public Housing Eligibility

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:

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.
• 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.
• 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)
• 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.

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.

NEW: Mandatory Rent Deduction for Government of Nunavut Employees living in Public Housing

Effective November 22, 2024, all Government of Nunavut (GN) employees living in public housing will be subject to mandatory rent deduction, where rent is automatically deducted from their pay cheques. This process aligns with the current system in place for GN employees living in staff housing.

Automatic rent deductions provide a more secure and stress-free process for timely rent payments and supports Local Housing Organizations in maintaining and supporting the public housing program in all communities.

For further information, tenants are asked to contact their Local Housing Organization.