A new pilot program is helping social housing tenants in Yellowknife address challenges and build stability. While access to safe and affordable housing provides a strong foundation, Housing NWT recognizes that some residents face challenges that affect their ability to maintain long-term housing stability.

To help address those challenges, the Yellowknife Housing Authority has launched a pilot program that combines affordable housing with individualized supports to help tenants overcome barriers and achieve lasting success in their homes.

The GNWT and City of Yellowknife are advising residents that encampment clean ups at three Yellowknife sites will continue under a new bi-weekly schedule for the next eight weeks, beginning today, July 17.

Premier R.J. Simpson today announced the appointment of Mr. Terence Courtoreille as President of Housing NWT, effective July 13, 2026.

Mr. Courtoreille brings more than two decades of progressive senior management experience with the Government of the Northwest Territories, with a strong background in public-sector financial management, system-wide review, governance and operational sustainability.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is congratulating West Point First Nation and Łutsël K'é Dene First Nation on the successful completion of two community-led housing projects that have added 26 new homes in Hay River and Łutsël Kʼé.

On June 28, West Point First Nation celebrated the opening of 16 new homes in Hay River. On July 6, Łutsël K'é Dene First Nation celebrated the completion of 10 new homes in Łutsël K'é. Both housing projects were planned and delivered by the respective Indigenous governments to address locally identified housing priorities.

Housing NWT is marking a construction milestone as the first modular homes in a major social housing project leave the manufacturer in Hay River and ship out to communities across the Northwest Territories.

Ten new modular units, built as five duplex buildings, have been loaded onto a Marine Transportation Services (MTS) vessel that is scheduled to depart Hay River on July 6, and is expected to arrive in Ulukhaktok in early August. The planned route spans at least 2,200 kilometres, carrying the homes across Great Slave Lake and down the Mackenzie River to the Arctic Ocean.  

Housing NWT marked a major construction milestone today with a “topping out ceremony” for the 50‑unit social housing multi-plex currently under development in downtown Yellowknife. The ceremony celebrated the placement of the final beam on the building’s roof structure.

The Inuvialuit Regional Corporation (IRC) Chair and CEO, Erwin Elias, and the Minister Responsible for Housing NWT, the Honourable Lucy Kuptana, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Housing between the IRC and Housing NWT.

This Memorandum of Understanding formalizes cooperation between Housing NWT and the IRC, building on past partnerships to guide joint work on housing priorities in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region.

Under the agreement, a Housing Working Group including IRC and Housing NWT staff will be established to prioritize:

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has introduced a new Encampment Response Framework to guide departments, agencies, and partners in responding to encampments in Yellowknife. The Framework sets out a coordinated approach focused on safety, consistency, outreach, and connecting residents with available services and supports.

Lucy Kuptana, Minister Responsible for Housing Northwest Territories, issued the following statement today regarding the Government of the Northwest Territories’ approach to encampments in Yellowknife and the completion of a new Encampment Response Framework.

“Encampments are not safe, stable, or sustainable housing, and are not the future we want for anyone experiencing homelessness in the Northwest Territories.

Check against delivery

Mr. Speaker, the lack of adequate housing remains one of the most significant challenges facing the Northwest Territories today. Across our territory, too many residents face barriers to safe, suitable, and affordable housing.

The findings of the Territorial Housing Needs Assessment confirm what we are hearing in our communities: that Elders, seniors, singles, and vulnerable residents are disproportionately affected by core housing need and are at increased risk of homelessness.