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September 20, 2024
AT A GLANCE
- High inflation and rising housing costs have increased the cost of living in Canada’s North.
- Female-led, lone-parent households comprise almost 40% of the population in core housing need.
- Federal funding is helping Habitat for Humanity NWT to create more homes for families.
- Single mother of 5 finds safe, affordable housing with Habitat for Humanity NWT.
With its gold-mining heritage, drastically cold winters and stunning views of the Northern Lights, Yellowknife may seem far removed to many. Yet, the Northwest Territories’ capital city faces a challenge that many will find familiar.
“There’s a real lack of any housing and basically, zero affordable housing,” says Alayna Ward, executive director, Habitat for Humanity NWT.
It is challenging to have to spend your entire paycheck and then some, whether you’re single or if you have a partner, to simply put a roof over you and your children's head.
Located approximately 400 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle, Yellowknife is home to 20,000 people, almost half of the territory’s population. The community is ethnically diverse and continues to grow — 2022 saw the highest influx of new residents in the past decade.
HIGH COST OF LIVING
“Many people moved to the Northwest Territories for high paying jobs, mostly in the mining and government sector,” explains Alayna. However, salaries have not risen with inflation and the cost of living has skyrocketed. This has impacted the type of home that residents can afford.
“It is challenging to have to spend your entire paycheck and then some, whether you’re single or if you have a partner, to simply put a roof over you and your children's head.
I know people who have 3 bedrooms who are paying $3600 for rent…You will find families crammed into an unsuitable home or staying in unsafe situations just because there's nowhere else for them to go. It is a dire situation.”
AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP
Habitat for Humanity NWT opened in 2012 with a goal to help more northern families secure affordable housing.
In their first 7 years, they managed to build 3 homes, thanks to fundraising and support from the territorial government and local charities and businesses.
In 2021, the organization received funding through CMHC’s Affordable Housing Fund. It was a game changer. The funding helped to offset high construction costs associated with the challenges of building in the north. As a result, Habitat for Humanity NWT has been able to build a minimum of 2 homes a year.
“With the help of volunteers and community partners, we have built homes in the communities of Dettah, Hay River, and Yellowknife,” says Alayna.
Housing in Yellowknife
- 28% of Yellowknife families are unable to affordably secure rental housing.
- Female-led lone parent households comprise 37.7% of the population in core housing need.
- In 2022 average monthly mortgage costs for new home buyers increased by 14.1% over the previous year.
Source: Northern Housing Report 2023
A NEW NORMAL
Habitat partner and Yellowknife resident Susanna Qitsualik is among the new homeowners.
A single mother of 5, Susanna struggled to find suitable housing for her children and grandson.
“I was renting an older unit. It was a 4-bedroom with 2 bathrooms, and we had to wait for our landlords to fix things. We had wobbly stairs and my son ended up fixing them. But the big one was the furnace. In the winter it goes down to minus 50 and the furnace would shut off in the middle of the night. I didn’t realize what was normal until I got out of there.”
It was Susanna’s niece that convinced her to apply to Habitat for Humanity. Through Habitat’s homeownership model, successful applicants have an opportunity to own their home and build equity, while making affordable mortgage payments geared to their income. They invest several hundred hours of their own labor, alongside family and friends to build their home. They also volunteer in the community.
Approximately 6 months after her successful application, Susanna received the keys to her new home.
“First night here, I slept,” says Susanna. “I didn't realize how tired I was, sleeping with one eye open and listening for the furnace.”
Sometimes the world just gets so heavy but when you see people like that, working together and making things happen, you realize that you’re not alone.
Not only does her new home heat faster and more affordably, but her family also has more space. “The kids all got to pick their own rooms, even before moving in,” she says.
“Everyone was so happy and couldn't believe it. I love everything about our new place.”
As her family decorates their new home and gets ready to plant flowers in their garden, Susanna reflects on the past few months.
“Sometimes the world just gets so heavy. But when you see people like that, working together and making things happen, you realize that you’re not alone. There are people helping you, supporting you.”
Having enjoyed giving back through volunteering, Susanna says the whole Habitat journey has improved her family’s feeling of self-worth.
“For those who are hesitating to apply,” she says. “Don’t. Try every year and don’t give up. You know you have a dream, and like for me as a single mom, I tried applying for homes and I either made too much money or I didn't make enough money. It always fell through, until it didn’t!”
KEY FACTS
- To date, 7 new Habitat for Humanity homes in Hay River, Dettah and Yellowknife have been supported by the Affordable Housing Fund’s $60 million northern carve-out. These funds were set aside by the Government of Canada to address housing needs and challenges in the Northwest Territories.
