That's why out-of-town MLAs are asking for a $300-a-month raise in their cost-of-living allowance this year -- for a total of $2,300 a month for a dwelling.

There is even talk of MLAs leasing a block of apartments in one of the city's new highrise buildings.

"We had to make adjustments," said Inuvik Boot Lake MLA Floyd Roland. "Being down here working for your constituency, it's not reasonable that you pay out of your pocket to rent a second place. We all have our own homes in our constituencies."

Barbara Wyness, director at the Union of Northern Workers, said it's not fair only MLAs get a housing allowance increase. "The government got out of housing for employees back in 1998."

"They said, 'Let the private sector take care of it.' Well, we've seen what's happened in Yellowknife. People can't find a place to live. It's the same in Inuvik, it's the same in Fort Smith."

If government is assisting MLAs with housing, they should assist all their workers, says Wyness.

"If the housing situation is so bad that out-town MLAs want a block of reserved housing for them, and an increase in their living allowance, what do they think it's like for the workers?" Wyness asked.

The increase was suggested at a board of management meeting Thursday. The cost is based on a two-bedroom house.

"MLAs are not getting that amount in their pockets," says North Slave MLA Leon Lafferty. "It's paid for them up to that amount. If someone wants to live in a five-bedroom home, ($2,300) is all they're allowed to get paid for them."