Cambridge Bay's new 10-plex public housing unit is already full to capacity after the housing association received the keys June 12 and electricity was turned on July 22. There are another 90 applicants on the waiting list for housing. - Navalik Tologanak/NNSL photo

IKALUKTUTIAK/CAMBRIDGE BAY
Cambridge Bay's new 10-plex public housing unit was filled with residents rapidly while another 90 applicants wait on a list.

"The units have been allocated, and we were able to get everyone set up with hydro accounts on Wednesday (July 22), before Nunavut Power Corporation (Qulliq Energy Corporation) went on strike," said Sandra Mathers, Cambridge Bay Housing Association manager.

The Cambridge Bay Housing Association received the keys to the new complex on June 12 and it didn't take long to fill it up. But there is still a lengthy waiting list for public housing in the community.

"Currently, there are 90 applications for public housing," said Mathers. "The applications range from single people to families with children."

Choosing who would get the units was based on a points system, which is standard across the territory.

Points are awarded based on many factors, including the number of people living in the applicant's current residence, the number of bedrooms they are short by, length of time on the waiting list, how many family groups are living in the current residence, need for disability accommodation, support letters from professionals and more.

Dave Crockatt, Nunavut Housing Corporation district director, was appointed as administrator in place of the CBHA board, which was suspended by George Kuksuk, minister responsible for the housing corporation. Crock

att allocated the units in the board's stead.

The CBHA board, which had only two out of seven seats filled, was suspended so that it could have an administrator appointed, Mathers said.

"Otherwise, we wouldn't be able to carry out our duties that require board authorization, like the unit allocations," she said.

She said it's a challenge other local housing organizations have faced, as well.

"It can be difficult to attract and retain good board members," said Mathers. "It is a difficult role and can be emotionally draining."

Mathers said the 90 applications don't address all of the public housing needs in Cambridge Bay because local housing organizations aren't allowed to accept applications from people who have arrears with other local housing organizations.

"It is hard to estimate how many more applications we would have without this rule," said Mathers. "Either way, we definitely need many more public housing units."

Short of an extreme public housing building spree, Mathers said there will likely always be housing capacity issues in Cambridge Bay.

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