The Yellowknives Dene First Nation will receive $18.8 million to build 19 new affordable housing units in Ndilǫ and Dettah.
The new units include 11 one-bedroom homes, and eight four-bedroom houses.
Following the announcement, Ndilǫ Chief Ernest Betsina said these would all be in addition to the existing housing stock, with the new units being split evenly between both communities. He added the project is a result of YKDFN’s housing strategy, and is done independently of the territorial housing corporation.
In developing the strategy, the first nation spoke with its members.
“People said they don’t want to go through the GNWT housing corporation, they want to go through us,” said Betsina. “And this is what we’re doing.”
Dettah Chief Edward Sangris said this announcement marked a “much needed change” in how housing issues are addressed in the North.
“Previous houses have ignored our distinct climate, geography and culture that has resulted in continued failure to provide livable housing for our members,” he said.
Jason Snaggs, YKDFN CEO, told CKLB in an email the total cost of the project was $19.95 million.
About $16.4 million is going towards construction, including land preparation work; $3.6 million is for administration, including design.
Ahmed Hussen, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, said the new units will be prioritized for women and children, as well as Elders in need of housing. The units will also include accessories to help those with mobility issues.
The funding is nearly one-third of the $60 million set aside by the federal National Housing Co-Investment Fund dedicated to addressing housing issues in the NWT. Last week, the Hamlet of Tulita and the federal government announced eight new modular homes with the money also coming from the “carve out.”
Chief Betsina said construction on the new YKDFN units will start this summer and the plan is to have residents move in by March 2022.
