Ontario Construction News staff writer
Thirty-six critically needed public housing units are on hold in Nunavut this summer because of skyrocketing construction costs due to COVID-19. Delayed construction projects dominated the spring sitting of the territory’s legislature.
Building material costs in the North have jumped 40 to 50 per cent in the past last year.
“Every housing unit we postpone represents a great burden for a family that might otherwise have a place to call home,” MLA Margaret Nakashuk said in the legislature.
“It saddens me greatly to do this. However, cost overruns leave us with no other choice.”
Concerns are being raised in the Northwest Territories where the housing corporation says the cost to address an ongoing housing crisis has now doubled.
Projects affected include:
- four five-plexes postponed because the contractor was unable to secure insurance in Taloyoak.
- A public housing building in Rankin Inlet
- Staff housing five-plex in Pangnirtung
“I want to stress that the public housing projects are not cancelled,” said Nakashuk. “They are postponed until next year.”