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.  

This milestone represents continued progress under the Government of the Northwest Territories’ $150 million investment in social housing units across the territory.

These 10 homes are part of a 98-unit project designed for single occupants that will provide duplexes and fourplexes to nine communities by spring 2028. Ninety-four of these homes are being manufactured in Hay River by Metcan Building Solutions, a partnership between ARCAN Construction Ltd. and the Hay River Métis Government Council. 

Housing NWT is using modular construction to deliver housing more quickly and efficiently. The Territorial Housing Needs Assessment identified a growing need for smaller housing options across the Northwest Territories, particularly for single occupants and Elders. In Ulukhaktok, most of the households on the social housing waitlist are seeking one-bedroom units, making these homes a good match for current community needs.
 

Quote(s)

“It is exciting to see these first homes leaving Hay River and beginning their journey by barge to Ulukhaktok.  As both Minister Responsible for Housing NWT and the Member for the Nunakput riding, I know how important safe, reliable housing is for families and communities across the NWT, and how important these homes will be for the Beaufort Delta. Each milestone we reach brings us one step closer to addressing housing needs across the Northwest Territories, and I remain committed to supporting investments like this that will help communities thrive.”

- Lucy Kuptana, Minister Responsible for Housing Northwest Territories

Quick facts

• This project is funded through a portion of a GNWT three-year (2025-2026 to 2027-2028) $150 million investment into Housing NWT capital projects.
• Housing NWT currently has 94 social housing units in Ulukhaktok, where about 60% of the population live in social housing.
• Housing NWT plans to complete 98 modular housing units designed for single occupants in nine communities: Ulukhaktok, Tuktoyaktuk, Inuvik, Délı̨nę, Tulita, Behchokǫ̀, Fort Simpson, Fort Providence, and Fort Smith.

Related links

• Fort Simpson Modular Housing Project Milestone Marks Shift from Planning to Production
• Housing NWT Awards 84-Unit Contract to Northern Manufacturer
• GNWT advancing 98 new modular homes across nine NWT communities
• NWT Territorial Housing Needs Assessment
• Marine Transportation Services 2026 Sailing Schedule

For media requests, please contact:

Laura Busch

Manager, Communications

Housing NWT

Government of the Northwest Territories

NWTHC_comms@gov.nt.ca