QIA to Build Nine (9) Affordable Houses for Inuit in Igloolik

Press Release

Iqaluit, Nunavut – March 5, 2026 – The Qikiqtani Inuit Association (QIA) will build an additional 9 affordable homes for Inuit in Igloolik in 2026/2027. This is in addition to the 21 units in the high arctic currently under construction.

QIA is working with the Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated (NTI) and the other Regional Inuit Associations (RIA) as part of the Angirratsaliulauqta strategy to deliver affordable homes for Inuit. The Federal Budget 2022 approved $845 million for housing across Inuit Nunangat. Of that amount, $422 million was allocated to Nunavut and placed in a restricted fund administered by NTI. Under this framework, the RIAs are responsible for affordable housing delivery in each respective region. As such, NTI made regional allocations, of which QIA received $134.7 million. In addition, QIA successfully accessed $18 million from the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation (CHMC) in an effort to maximize its regional allocation to maximize its impact on the housing crises in Nunavut.

“I am very proud to have our Inuit organization help provide solutions to the overwhelming housing crises facing Nunavut. The Government of Nunavut cannot do it alone. We must come together across organizations and work with all possible partners for our communities.” Said QIA President Olayuk Akesuk

The first 21 houses will be completed the summer of 2026 in Grise Fiord, Pond Inlet, Clyde River and Arctic Bay. An additional 9 houses will be underway in Igloolik in 2026 and are expected to be completed by 2028. Plans to continue building in every community are underway with further QIA proposals having been submitted to the Government of Canada to supplement the existing affordable housing allocation.

NTI created the Igluvut Corporation in October 2025 to own, operate and maintain the affordable houses on behalf of Inuit. As such, all houses built by QIA will be transferred to the new organization. The affordable homes are expected to be more expensive than social housing units, but more affordable than market rates, filling this gap in the overall housing continuum.

Additional infrastructure to be built in Igloolik will include a Community Wellness Centre and a Nauttiqsuqtiit Centre.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Karen Flaherty
Director, Strategic Communications
Qikiqtani Inuit Association
(P) 867.975.8398 or toll-free 1.800.667.2742
kflaherty@qia.ca

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