The Inuvik Homeless Shelter will enter a new chapter of community-led leadership on January 5, 2026, when operational responsibility transitions from Housing NWT to the Inuvik Homeless Shelter Advisory Board.

The transition reflects a long-standing community goal to have homelessness services guided by local voices, while ensuring shelter services continue without disruption for those who rely on them.

Housing NWT began operating the Inuvik Homeless Shelter on an interim, emergency basis in 2021 to maintain essential services when no local operator was available. With the Inuvik Homeless Shelter Advisory Board now ready to assume leadership, responsibility for shelter operations is returning to the community.

Over this period, the Government of the Northwest Territories increased shelter funding to strengthen service stability and support local capacity. That investment has helped create the conditions for community-led operations to move forward, with funding and accountability mechanisms remaining in place.

This change reflects the GNWT’s ongoing work with non-governmental organizations and community partners to support locally driven, sustainable housing and homelessness services. Community-led shelter operations play an important role in ensuring services reflect local needs and priorities, and in strengthening the broader housing and homelessness support systems.

The transition is the result of close collaboration between Housing NWT, the Town of Inuvik, and the Inuvik Homeless Shelter Advisory Board. Clients and staff will continue to receive uninterrupted services throughout and after the transition.

Housing NWT will also issue a Request for Proposals in the coming weeks to identify a potential operator for the Inuvik Warming Shelter, continuing efforts to expand community involvement in homelessness services.

Quotes

 “This transition reflects the strength of community leadership in Inuvik. I want to thank the members of the Inuvik Homeless Shelter Advisory Board for stepping up and taking on this important work. When local organizations lead, services are better able to reflect community needs and priorities. We’ll continue working alongside partners to support this work as it moves forward.”

- R.J. Simpson, Premier and Minister Responsible for Housing NWT

“We, as an Advisory Board, are pleased to accept this responsibility and will continue to strive to support our homeless population.”

 - Peggy Day, Chair, Inuvik Advisory Board

Quick facts

• Housing NWT assumed operations of the Inuvik Homeless Shelter on an emergency basis in 2021 to ensure services continued when no local operator was available.
• The shelter will officially transition to the Inuvik Homeless Shelter Advisory Board on January 5, 2026, with no disruption to services.
• This transition reflects a long-standing goal to strengthen community-led solutions for homelessness in the Northwest Territories.
• Housing NWT will issue a request for proposals in the coming weeks to identify a potential operator for the Inuvik Warming Shelter.

Related links

• Housing NWT Facebook Page

For media requests, please contact:
Jeanne Gard, Manager, Communications
Housing Northwest Territories
Government of the Northwest Territories
NWTHC_Comms@gov.nt.ca