Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Iqaluit (Dec 13/99) - Housing Minister Manitok Thompson wouldn't mind seeing a little extra green and silver under the GN's Christmas tree this year.

As a matter of fact, $100 million stuck in the Department of Housing's Christmas stocking would go a long way towards solving the housing shortage that currently has a hold on Nunavut.

Recommended allocation of new units Six units each: Iqaluit, Baker Lake, Arviat, Pond Inlet, Rankin Inlet, Pangnirtung, Iglulik, Cape Dorset, Kugluktuk Four units each: Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Taloyoak, Clyde River, Sanikiluaq, Hall Beach, Coral Harbour Two units each: Arctic Bay, Repulse Bay, Qikiqtarjuaq, Kugaaruk (Pelly Bay), Kimmirut, Chesterfield Inlet, Whale Cove, Resolute Bay, Grise Fiord Source: Interim Report of the Minister's Task Force on Housing

"My Christmas wish is to kill the waiting list that has 700 families on it. If the federal government were to give us $100 million today, we could do that," said Thompson, referring to the amount of money that would be required to build enough houses to provide shelter for those in need.

However, seeing that holiday miracles are few and far between these days, Nunavummiut will have to settle for the announcement the minister made last week.

Even if she has to slip on a hard hat and hammer in the nails with her own two hands, Thompson committed herself to building 100 new desperately-needed housing units next summer.

"Every community, all 26, will get some. That's being fair to everybody," said Thompson.

The announcement to build comes on the heels of her taskforce's recently released interim report on housing. Yet to be approved by cabinet or the appropriate standing committee, the 16-page document recommends the minister divert $15 million from other housing programs -- like the Expanded Downpayment Assistance Program -- and use it to construct 50 duplexes across the territory.

The report also recommends the minister build one and two-bedroom units because families requiring smaller homes make up 84 per cent of the current need.

While the decision will begin to address the housing shortage, more than 600 families remain in limbo and will continue to live in overcrowded conditions. That cannot be avoided, Thompson said, if her department is to remain debt-free.

"This makes a dent and we're doing the best we can. It's better than not building anything at all, which is what would have happened if we didn't move on it because there's no funding for social housing," said Thompson.

"We don't want to go into a deficit. We are working within our means and I'm happy with the results."

But at least one outspoken resident isn't willing to let Thompson off the hook.

Tagak Curley, the president of the Nunavut Construction Corporation, chastised Thompson for spending the $15 million poorly. He said her dollars would stretch much further if she had taken them to the private sector and set up public-private partnerships or build-leaseback units.

"I think it's shameful. They have to look at broadening their strategy. This is not a housing strategy. Their approach does not address the critical housing shortage," said Curley.

"My view is they should be looking at how they could maximize their social housing dollars. How much more could they leverage with that $15 million?"

Curley admitted that as a member of the private sector, he had a personal stake in the matter, but he still criticized the taskforce and its report for not addressing other possible solutions and for not inviting a member of the business world to sit on the taskforce.

Thompson, however, said that in the interests of expediency, she didn't have time to look into alternative solutions, adding that she hoped to be able to build additional units in the years to come.

That's a suggestion Iqaluit Housing Authority manager Susan Spring was pleased to hear.

"Perhaps they'll develop an ongoing five- to 10- year plan and put the budgeting processes in place," said Spring.

"Anything is better than nothing. It's a marvellous start, but we need more than that."