NUNAVUT - The Nunavut Housing Needs Survey may take longer to complete because of a lack of community surveyors working in larger centres such as Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay, said a representative with the Nunavut Bureau of Statistics.

Community survey interviewer Susie Eetuk of Coral Harbour rings the doorbell at an apartment building in Iqaluit as she conducts the Nunavut Housing Needs Survey. - photo courtesy of Tamara Webb

"We are struggling in the major centres," said Stephanie Langlois, survey manager with the bureau working out of their main office in Pangnirtung in an interview on April 22.

The Nunavut Housing Corporation is working with Statistics Canada and the Nunavut Bureau of Statistics to complete the first comprehensive survey of the territory's housing needs by going door-to-door to find out the extent of overcrowding and the adequacy of housing. The data will be used by the territory and the communities to plan housing construction and renovation and to lobby the federal government for money for housing.

Training for 25 senior surveyors, who came to Iqaluit from various communities, and surveying began in November.

All 25 communities in Nunavut will be surveyed. As of the end of April, 14 communities had been completed and five other communities were near completion, said Langlois. She said there were six communities including Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay where there were still a number of houses to be done. The goal at the onset of the project was to interview the occupants of at least 85 per cent of houses in each community.

"We are hoping to finish everything by the end of May," said Langlois.

In all other communities, all houses are being surveyed. Due to a lack of community survey interviewers working in Iqaluit and the city's size, a sample will be taken will be taken, Langlois said.

Finding interviewers willing to work full-time has been a challenge for the bureau. Langlois said the initial plan was to have 15 full-time interviewers surveying in Iqaluit. She has two individuals working full-time and has had to fly in other surveyors from other communities.

"I was really stuck. I couldn't find people to hire," she said.

For people like Susie Eetuk, a lack of surveyors in Iqaluit has meant more employment for her. Eetuk, who is from Coral Harbour, also conducted surveys in Repulse Bay and is now working in Iqaluit.

"I like going house to house and meeting new people," she said.

Eetuk added she has been able to gain work and life experience by having the opportunity to visit other settlements.

Survey interviewers are required to have a minimum of a Grade 10 education, must be comfortable interacting with people and have no criminal record. Langlois said they are prioritizing employment among beneficiaries.

Once the data is collected the information will be processed by Statistics Canada in Ottawa. Langlois said hopefully the results of the survey will be ready to be shared with the public in December.

She said in some communities a lot of people have be refusing to participate in the surveys, whereas in others, people have been welcoming and keen to be involved.

"Housing is affecting everyone whether you are Inuit, non-Inuit, renting or a homeowner and we need information from everyone so they (the Nunavut Housing Corporation) can make better decisions in their program delivery," she said.