Construction on a new 30-unit social housing building has officially begun in Hay River.

The project, located at 46 Woodland Drive, will create 30 new social housing units designed for single occupancy. The three-storey modular building will include 21 fully self-contained studio units, as well as nine wheelchair-accessible studio units on the ground floor. The building is designed to exceed current energy-efficiency standards while supporting climate resilience and accessibility.

This building is designed to provide safe, inclusive, and community-oriented housing for tenants. Its design draws on SafeGrowth and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to support the safety and well-being of tenants, neighbours, and visitors. Features include shared outdoor walkways and entrances to ground-floor units, clear sightlines that reduce hidden areas, enhanced lighting in common areas and entryways, and spaces that promote natural interaction and a sense of community.

The project is being delivered in partnership with Northern Industrial Construction Ltd. and Taylor Architecture Group and is funded through a portion of the Government of the Northwest Territories’ (GNWT’s) three-year (2025-2026 to 2027-2028) $150 million investment in Housing NWT capital projects. It’s expected to be completed by Winter 2028 and will help address the need for additional single-occupancy social housing in Hay River identified through the Territorial Housing Needs Assessment.

Quotes

“This new Singles Multi-Unit Residential Building in Hay River demonstrates our commitment to improving the accessibility of affordable and safe housing solutions for residents and providing more homes for Northerners. These new units will better meet the needs of residents and provide a safe environment for all tenants. The GNWT is committed to advancing social housing projects in partnership with community stakeholders and northern contractors.”

- Lucy Kuptana, Minister Responsible for Housing Northwest Territories

“Northern Industrial Construction Ltd. is proud to partner with Housing NWT and lead the design-build team delivering this important project in Hay River. Modular construction allows foundation work and module fabrication to proceed concurrently, helping accelerate the delivery of 30 modern homes designed for energy efficiency, climate resilience, accessibility, and community safety. We are honoured to help provide safe and durable housing that will serve Hay River residents for many years to come.”

- Geoff Oldfield, Operations Manager, Northern Industrial Construction Ltd.

“Today’s Groundbreaking marks an important milestone for Hay River and for the residents who are waiting for a place to call home. These 30 new units will help address a clear need in our community while providing housing that is accessible, affordable, and designed to support safety and well-being. I am grateful to everyone involved in bringing this project to life.”

- Vince McKay, MLA, Hay River South

“Every Northerner deserves access to safe and affordable housing, and this project represents another important step toward meeting that goal. The new 30-unit building will provide much needed housing options for single residents, while supporting accessibility and community safety. Investments like this are helping address housing pressures across the territory and reflect our commitments to bringing more housing for residents of the NWT.”

- R.J. Simpson, MLA, Hay River North
 

Quick facts

• According to the Territorial Housing Needs Assessment, 52 households were on the waitlist for social housing in Hay River as of November 2025, with most applying for a bachelor or one-bedroom unit.
• The three-storey modular building will include twenty-one self-contained studio units and nine wheelchair-accessible studio units on the ground floor.
• The building design is guided by the SafeGrowth - Wilfrid Laurier University Team and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles to enhance safety and community well-being.
• A $17.9 million contract has been awarded to Northern Industrial Construction Ltd. for this new build.
• The project is expected to be completed by Winter 2028.

Related links

• News Release: Housing NWT New Project: Singles Multi-Unit Residential Building in Hay River
• News Release: Housing NWT Awards Contract for Hay River Singles Multi-Unit
• Territorial Housing Needs Assessment

For media requests, please contact:

Housing NWT Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories
NWTHC_Comms@gov.nt.ca