Iqaluit (Nov 13/06) - A unique made-for-Nunavut housing project was the recipient of a national award last week.

The Nunavut Housing Corporation's five-plex public housing project received the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) housing award.

Through the CMHC, the award recognizes housing project initiatives that help bring costs down for tenants.

The housing project was created to take into account the traditional lifestyle and concepts of Nunavummiut.

The units are also designed to be energy efficient, creating lower costs for tenants, she said.

An innovative design took into account how Inuit use their homes based on a 2003 study conducted by Dr. Peter Dawson, a University of Calgary professor.

Community members throughout Nunavut had input into the design of the housing project, which was developed by the Nunavut Housing Corporation, along with input from the CMHC, said Turner.

Major design considerations included eliminating the heated crawl space beneath most Nunavut homes.

The change will make homes more energy efficient reducing the amount of space to be heated and reducing the chilling affect of Arctic winds.

Kitchens in the homes have been combined with living and dinning areas to create one large space, lending the room to traditional Inuit activities.

Dawson's study found that Inuit social activities such as eating, entertaining, crafts and cooking centre around the kitchen area.

A large storage area for country foods was also incorporated behind the kitchen with a separate entrance.

Equipped with a stainless steel sink and cutting area, it's ideal for working with frozen seal or caribou.

Receiving a national award shows the importance and early success of the five-plex housing project throughout Nunavut, said Olayuk Akesuk, the minister responsible for Nunavut housing.

"This housing project could go a long way for our people," he said.

The project is part of a $200 million effort by the Nunavut government to build 725 new housing units in Nunavut over the next three years.

Units are currently being built in communities throughout the territory.

While creating new housing will help to alleviate overcrowding it also creates jobs in Nunavut, said Akesuk.

"Training people is important. We need new apprentices, like plumbers, electricians and carpenters," he said.

Apprentices will be able to gain valuable skills during construction of the units. When units are completed, long term maintenance will also provide employment opportunities, he said.

While 725 units are expected to be built over a three-year span, Akesuk hopes to have 3,000 new housing units completed over a ten-year period.

"Our population is growing," added Akesuk.

One five-plex can be built at a cost of $1.2 million, or $240,000 per unit.