RANKIN INLET (Jan 13/97) - Four families facing eviction from their homes here are still sitting tight.

Bill Gofton, the interim housing manager for Rankin Inlet's Housing Association, said actions from the sheriff's department have been put on hold until further notice.

Gofton spoke at a hamlet council meeting last week, explaining the situation, which he suspects may get worse.

"What we're facing is changing times," he said. "Our budget works on the rents we receive. If collections aren't made, we run out of money to operate."

Gofton went on to say that 66 other tenants are currently in arrears with the association, but that doesn't mean all will get eviction notices.

Some tenants will pay up, he said, while others may not.

But councillor Joe Kaludjak was appalled by the Christmas eviction threats on the four families.

"I don't like you guys kicking people out in December," he said.

Kaludjak asked Gofton if the association could write off some of the arrears if a tenant agreed to pay back a portion of their debt.

Gofton said only the housing minister -- Baffin South MLA Goo Arlooktoo -- decides if rents should be written off. However, he added that there's been ample time for tenants to catch up on their back rents.

In one particular case, a tenant who was falling behind on his rent was sent nine notification letters and had three rental office hearings over the last 18 months.

After all attempts to regain rents proved futile, an eviction notice was served Nov. 8.

"You're always going to have those tenants who have their priorities elsewhere," said Gofton.

And if tenants want to pay back rents the association is willing to accept as little as $20 a month on top of current rents.

Tenants in arrears owe the association more than $200,000, Gofton said, and it costs about $16,000 annually to maintain each housing unit.

Since ordering the four evictions in November, Gofton said he's taken plenty of verbal abuse from Rankin residents.

However, he has defended his actions by saying the evictions should have been carried out in November, not at Christmas.

Between the sheriff's department in Yellowknife and the sheriff in Rankin Inlet, something went wrong and someone failed to force the tenants to leave.

"We're only the messengers, not the makers of policy," he said "To attack us is so unfair."

Gofton said a few verbal attacks were even directed at his staff.