Yellowknife — March 10, 2026
Effective April 1, 2026, Northwest Territories Integration and Community Services (NWT ICS) will assume operational responsibility for the Inuvik Warming Shelter.
This transition supports the Government of the Northwest Territories’ and Housing NWT’s commitment to strengthening community-based service delivery and enhancing supports for people experiencing homelessness. By empowering communities to lead shelter operations, programs can better reflect local priorities and needs, ensuring that solutions are informed by community knowledge, leadership and lived experience. NWT ICS brings frontline experience and a person-centred, trauma-informed approach to shelter operations.
The Inuvik Warming Shelter serves as a vital resource for people experiencing homelessness, offering a safe place to rest and access basic needs and supports. Under NWT ICS’s operations, the shelter will continue to offer a safe, stable environment with increased access to community resources that support long‑term health and housing stability.
Housing NWT will work collaboratively with NWT ICS and community partners to ensure a smooth transition with no disruption to services.
Quotes
“Transitioning the Inuvik Warming Shelter to Northwest Territories Integration and Community Services reflects our ongoing commitment to ensuring homelessness services are guided by local voices. NWT ICS brings valuable frontline experience and a compassionate, person‑centered approach that will strengthen supports for residents who rely on the shelter. We look forward to supporting them as they take on this important role and continue building a safe, inclusive space for residents.”
- Erin Kelly, President & CEO, Housing NWT
“We are fully committed to ensuring a smooth and effective transition of operations to NWT ICS.”
- Eric Neba, Executive Director, Northwest Territories Integration and Community Services
“Homelessness supports must reflect the community they serve, and it is encouraging to see Northwest Territories Integration and Community Services take on this important role. Placing the shelter’s operations with a local organization strengthens community leadership and ensures services remain responsive, compassionate, and closely connected to the people they support. This is welcome news that will help strengthen an important service for Inuvik’s vulnerable residents.”
- The Honourable Lucy Kuptana, Minister Responsible for Housing Northwest Territories
Quick facts
- To continue their efforts to expand community involvement in homelessness services, Housing NWT issued a Request for Proposals to identify a new operator for the Inuvik Warming Shelter.
- Effective April 1, 2026, Northwest Territories Integration and Community Services (NWT ICS) will assume operations of the Inuvik Warming Shelter.
- Housing NWT will work with NWT ICS and community partners to ensure a smooth transition with no disruption to services.
Related links
For media requests, please contact:
Laura Busch, Manager, Communications
Housing NWT
Government of the Northwest Territories
NWTHC_comms@gov.nt.ca