IQALUIT - Iqaluit city councillors voted July 14 to change the city's affordable housing target prices to allow development in the city's plateau subdivision.

Under the old definition, set in 2005, prices were determined under the 40th to 45th income percentile, making affordable housing prices equivalent to $210,000 to $240,000.

The new definition moves the income percentile to the 45th to 50th bracket, in turn moving prices to between $345,000 and $386,000.

The affordable housing plan allows developers to buy lots at a discounted rate and in turn pass on savings to Iqaluit families, namely first-time home owners.

"You shouldn't confuse affordable housing with low income housing," said Michele Bertol, the city's senior director of planning and lands.

Instead, affordable housing provides people with the opportunity to purchase a house at a "slightly lower" price, she said.

The reason for the price boost is due simply to natural inflation, said Bertol.

"Prices always go up. The price fixed in 2005 is not the price in 2009," she said, adding if the city demanded developers build houses to sell at 2005 prices, "the lots will stay vacant. (They'll) simply stay vacant."

Even so, one councillor felt the new prices moved the houses out of the realm of affordability.

Councillor Jim Little said prices should stay at the figures set in 2005.

"All of a sudden we're going to pull the rug out so some developer can put up some houses," he said.

City to hire staff lawyer

City councillors have given administration the go-ahead to hire its own lawyer.

The move is expected to save the city money by cutting the costs of hiring several separate lawyers in any given year.

For example, since 2005 the city has spent an estimated $433,908 on legal fees, though 2009 costs are still pending.

"This is a great opportunity for the city to save some money," said Coun. Allen Hayward.

Coun. Jim Little agreed but added he is concerned about the "quality" of lawyer the city will attract.

The city has to make sure "we're not going to get someone who can't stay sober, or who doesn't win cases, or whatever it is. We need someone who is going to be a quality lawyer," he said.

The city is looking to hire the equivalent of a half-year position.

Councillors laud RCMP road checks

City councillors commended the RCMP last Tuesday on its recent "Take Back the Night" blitz.

While "Take Back the Night" was first launched in the 1970s to bring awareness to sexual violence against women, Iqaluit RCMP used the title for its own operational event July 10 from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m, in an effort to reduce crime in the city.

During the night, RCMP officers checked more than 50 vehicles, including Coun. Claude Martel's. They also performed 11 taxi inspections and completed 11 bar checks. RCMP Staff Sgt. Leigh Tomfohr said there will be more checks in town so long as weather permits.

"This will become a regular occurrence in Iqaluit," he said.