Solving the housing crisis in Nunavut, Canada

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Indigenous Studies

Background:

• Significant disparities exist in housing, health, education, and economic conditions between Canada's northern and southern regions.
• Historical government policies led to Inuit settling in northern communities with unmet promises of social welfare, resulting in overcrowding.
• Inuit Nunangat faces a critical housing shortage, poor housing quality, and homelessness, exacerbating health, education, and social issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the housing crisis in Inuit Nunangat and its multifaceted impacts on the Inuit population.
• To examine the governmental responses of Canada and Nunavut to the ongoing housing crisis.
• To propose actionable solutions to alleviate the severe housing shortage and its consequences.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of government policies and their historical impact on Inuit housing.
• Review of existing literature on social determinants of health and education in Inuit communities.
• Examination of proposed policy amendments and construction initiatives for housing solutions.

Main Results:

• Past government policies have directly contributed to the current housing crisis in Inuit Nunangat.
• The lack of adequate and safe housing has severe repercussions on physical health, mental well-being, education, and safety.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the urgency of addressing the affordable and safe housing issue.

Conclusions:

• Stable and predictable funding is crucial for addressing the housing crisis.
• Increased construction of transitional and public housing, alongside policy amendments for staff housing, are recommended.
• Urgent government action is required to ensure the health, education, and well-being of Inuit people through improved housing.