Shelter Initiative for Inuit women and children

Inuit women, children and gender – diverse people face unique challenges and barriers to housing. For those who experience gender-based violence, a shelter is often a first step to rebuilding their lives and protecting them from further violence.

The Shelter Initiative is led by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). CMHC will provide forgivable loans for up to 100% of total eligible costs for the construction/rehabilitation of new shelters. ISC will also provide funding to support operational costs on an ongoing basis.

Pauktuutit Inuit Women of Canada has long been calling on the federal government to urgently provide shelters for Inuit women.  In 2020 Pauktuutit asked for a $20 million commitment towards the building of shelters and second‐stage transitional housing in Inuit Nunagat and in Ottawa for Inuit women and children escaping violence at our 2020 Annual General Meeting. In January 2021, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services, along with the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children, and Social Development, committed to fund the construction and operation of shelters for Inuit women and children across Inuit Nunangat as well as in urban centres. Funding for the new Inuit specific shelters is part of the comprehensive Violence Prevention Strategy as announced in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement. The strategy will also support new shelters and transitional (second-stage) housing for First Nations, Inuit and Métis across the country, including in the North and in urban areas.

Funding opportunities from CMHC

The Indigenous Shelter and Transitional Housing Initiative is now open. For information and to apply for transitional housing funding, please follow this link.

Operating Shelters and Support

Inuvialuit

Inuvik

Inuvik Transition House Society

iths@northwestel.new

Crisis Line 1-867-777-3877
Tanya Dillon, Executive Director

Tuktoyaktuk

Aimayunga Women and Emergency Foster Care Shelter

aimayunga@tukcommunitycorp.com
Crisis Line 1-867-977-2000
Sandra Elias, Executive Director

Kitikmeot

Cambridge Bay

Operational Arnat Qimavik – Cambridge Bay Wellness Centre Crisis Shelter

tclarke@gov.nu.ca
fvvp@cambridgebay.ca
sarcha@polarnet.ca
Box 81 Cambridge Bay NU X0E 0C0

Anne Isnor (Family Violence Contact) (867) 983-5232
Troy Clarke 867 983 4169

Kugaaruk

Operational Tammaaquik Women’s Centre – Family Violence centre

womenshelter2@outlook.com
shelter_manager@outlook.com
P.O. Box 205 Hamlet Office, Kugaaruk, NU X0B 1K0

Catherine Nipatuyuk 867-769-6100

Kugluktuk
Operational

Kugluktuk Women’s Crisis Centre

Beverly Bort (867) 982-3210

Kivalliq

Baker Lake

Innutit Women’s Group Ikajuqtauvvik Crisis Centre

General Delivery Taloyoak NU X0E 1B0
Tel.: (867) 561-5902

Rankin Inlet
Operational

Kataujaq Society Shelter

kataujaq@qiniq.com
kylagabrielle26@yahoo.com
P.O. Box 344 Rankin Inlet X0C 0G0
ED/Shelter Manager, Joyce Kent (867) 645-2214
Emerg/After Hrs (867) 645-6432

Nunatsiavut

Nain

Nain Safe House
Women’s Shelter

nainsafehouse@nf.aibn.com
709-922-1230 Nicole Dicker (Executive Director)

Rigolet

Kirkina House
Women’s Shelter

rigoletsafehouse@bellaliant.com
Desiree Wolfrey (Executive Director) 709-947-3583

Nunavik

Inukjuak

Ajapirvik Women’s Shelter
Women’s Shelters and Transition Homes

matagotaaluk@gmail.com
Mary Atagotaaluk (Director) 819-819 254 1414

Kangiqsujuaq

Qarmaapik House: A multi-use and safe place for families in Kangiqsualujjuaq
Safe House

Pilot Project
Maggie Emudluk, and Hilda Snowball Board Members – No contact information for location.

Kuujjuaq

Tungasuvvik Women’s Shelter
Women’s Shelters and Transition Homes

stagoona@gmail.com
(819) 964-0536 Sarah Tagoona Executive Director
(819) 964-2423

Salluit

Initsiaq Women’s Shelter
Women’s Shelters and Transition Homes

bcranemartin@gmail.com
Brenda Crane Martin (Director)
819-255 8045 or 819-255-8817

Qikiqtaaluk

Cape Dorset

Tukkuvik Women’s Shelter

Box 69 Cape Dorset NU X0A 0C0
Tel.: (867) 897-8683
Crisis Line: (867) 979-4500

Iqaluit

Operational
Qimaavik Women’s shelter
director@ywca-agvvik.org
ed@ywca-agvik.org
P.O Box 237 Iqaluit X0A 0H0
Tel.: (867) 979-4566

Pangnirtung

Tullivik Group

Box 204 Pangnirtung NU X0A 0R0
Tel.: (867) 473-8944

The successful implementation of the creation of shelters for Inuit women will respond to the National Action Plan, safety being paramount in the 231 Calls for Justice.

Contact a Housing Solutions Specialist in your region.

NUNAVUT
Contact Anna Kirbyson
akirbyso@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
604 737 4087

INUVIALUIT

Contact Bright Lubansa
blubansa@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
867 988 3159

NUNAVIK
Contact François Sauvageau
fsauvage@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
514 283 5110
or Karine Prevost
kprevost@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
514 437 3696

NUNATSIAVUT
Contact Karine Prevost
kprevost@cmhc-schl.gc.ca
514 437 3696

If you have any questions about this application, please write to Kerenza Plohman at kplohman@pauktuutit.ca, who can provide you with more information to help you complete the application. You can also send your questions to the CMHC mailbox at NouvelleInitiativedesRefuges@cmhc-schl.gc.ca.

Do you need funds to help prepare your application? Seed Funding is available. Click here for details.

Questions & Answers

Eligibility

Financial Support

Associated Links

Resources