On November 10, Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe signed an Executive Order declaring into effect Inuit Law 2019-03 An Act Respecting Housing in Nunatsiavut and to Establish a Nunatsiavut Housing Commission.
This historic signing marks the official establishment of the Nunatsiavut Housing Commission (NHC), the new Public Agency of the Nunatsiavut Government responsible for housing. The NHC has the
following mandate:
The Nunatsiavut Housing Commission may acquire, construct, develop, maintain, manage and supply housing in Nunatsiavut for Inuit families and individuals. The Commission is specifically mandated to establish and administer programs and to acquire, construct, develop, maintain, manage and supply housing in Nunatsiavut for Inuit, Inuit households and Inuit families who are members of a vulnerable group.
The NHC has the power to be involved in the construction, development, management, and operations of housing of all types, from emergency shelters to affordable home rentals. The NHC is particularly mandated to respond to the housing needs of Inuit who are vulnerable, meaning those living with addictions, homelessness, disabilities, violence in the home, or those who are on a fixed income or low income, elders, youth, children in need of social protection, and families at risk of being separated from their children.
This new Agency represents years of effort and brings to life the right to adequate housing all Beneficiaries have pursuant to Article 2.4.28 of the Labrador Inuit Constitution. This is a real example of self-determination in practice and marks an important moment in the realization of the promises of self-government.
The transformative potential of the NHC allows for the creation of new housing programs that can be specific to the housing needs of the five Labrador Inuit communities. Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement can expect two such programming announcements in the coming weeks.