Inuvik (Jan 28/05) - Each day she returns to the reality of sharing a bachelor apartment with her nine children, Annie Thrasher dreams of moving her family into a proper home.

For the last four months, Thrasher and her kids - age three to 17 - have resided in the small apartment on Bonnetplume Road. With enough space for four beds, a couch, kitchen table and television set the conditions are cramped at best.

Annie Thrasher with five of her nine children at the family's bachelor apartment on Bonnetplume Road. Behind Annie are Phillip Jr. and Christina. In front, from left to right, are Florence, Tyrone and Trevor.

"I considered going back to Paulatuk, but after people there told me it was better here, I decided to stay put," said Thrasher.

During her time in Inuvik, Thrasher has not had the best luck with housing.

Though it's hard to believe, Thrasher says her previous residence was worse.

"The upstairs bathroom didn't work and there was a sewage backup. It was a horrible place."

Prior to that she and her family were clients of the Inuvik Housing Authority. Unfortunately, that relationship ended shortly after her ex-husband put an axe through the wall of the public housing unit they were living at.

In July of last year, Thrasher finally paid the bill for damages, which amounted to $1,500.

"I had to pay half, which I did, and (the housing authority) still tell me I can't get a place," she said. "People make mistakes and not everybody has a perfect family."

"It's hard for a single parent, but you just try and try. I'm holding a steady job and my kids go to school."

Manager of the Inuvik Housing Authority Vicki Boudreau said she could not comment on any particular case for reasons of confidentiality.

Boudreau did say that potential clients must be considered suitable tenants to be approved and that it was not uncommon to be on a waiting list for up to a year.

In order to qualify for public housing, applicants are assessed for a number of factors, including their current standard of accommodations and income levels. References from past landlords are also examined.

Deborah Tynes, director of social programs for the Inuvik Regional Health and Social Services Authority, was also unable to comment on Thrasher's plight.

What she would say is that social services' primary concerns pertaining to housing situations involving children are that the children are safe, protected and that they have shelter.

"There's nothing that states, in our standards, as to what size a dwelling has to be based on the amount of people living there," she said.