Northern Housing Compared To 3rd World

In a media release dated June 10, 1980, ITC president Michael Amarook compared the housing crisis in Inuit communities to a third world situation and described overcrowding and housing shortages that forced Inuit families to live in sub-standard and out-dated housing.

Inuit housing has an average of 145 sq. feet per person. C.M.H.C. has used 225 sq. feet as an indication of crowding and 155 sq. feet per person as extreme crowding. Government staff housing averages 312 sq. feet per person.

“Government housing policies have not only failed to fill the backlog of demand and population increase, but have also introduced a poor native-white relationship,” the ITC president said.

See also – the Conference Board of Canada “Sleeping on the Couch” housing report from September 24, 2010.