BEHCHOKǪ̀ — Eight new social housing units built in Hay River have arrived in BehchokǪ̀ as the Government of the Northwest Territories pushes forward a territorial project to add 98 new social housing units for single people across the territory.
The eight units, manufactured by METCAN Building Solutions Inc., arrived on site this month after being transported by highway in a phased delivery. The modular homes were constructed as four duplexes and are the first shipment in a planned 10-unit delivery for BehchokǪ̀; the remaining two units, configured as one duplex, are expected by the end of 2026.
Local manufacturing and Indigenous partnership
The territorial announcement notes that 94 of the 98 units in the larger project are being manufactured in Hay River by METCAN, a partnership between ARCAN Construction Ltd., a Tłı̨chǫ-owned business, and the Hay River Métis Government Council. The work is part of a three-year, $150 million capital investment by the Government of the Northwest Territories intended to respond to priorities set by the 20th Legislative Assembly to increase the supply of affordable housing.
The modular approach is being presented by the government as a way to deliver housing more quickly and cost-effectively to smaller communities where the need for one-bedroom and singles housing is pronounced.
“In Behchokǫ̀, there is significant need for more singles housing, so I am excited to see these eight new units arrive in the community. Each new home bring us one step closer to meeting the housing needs residents have identified in their communities. We’re making good progress on our 98-unit project, and I look forward to seeing the final two units of this delivery arrive in BehchokǪ̀ by the end of 2026.”
The statement was attributed to Lucy Kuptana, Minister Responsible for Housing NWT, in the government release describing the shipment and the broader project.
Scope, schedule and community need
According to the territorial release, the 98-unit program will include duplexes and fourplexes intended for singles and will be delivered to nine communities by Spring 2028. Communities were selected based on the Northwest Territories Territorial Housing Needs Assessment, which the government says identified a growing demand for smaller housing options — particularly for single occupants and Elders.
In BehchokǪ̀ specifically, the release says most households on the social housing waitlist are seeking one-bedroom units; the 10 homes headed to the community are expected to help address that demand. The newly arrived units are anticipated to be ready for occupancy by December 2026.
- Units arrived: 8 (four duplexes)
- Planned delivery for BehchokǪ̀: 10 units total (two remaining by end of 2026)
- Territorial project target: 98 units across nine communities by Spring 2028
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Units arrived in BehchokǪ̀ | 8 |
| Total project units | 98 |
| Manufactured in Hay River | 94 units |
| Capital investment | $150 million |
Questions of scale and local impact
Modular construction and local manufacturing have been advanced by the Government of the Northwest Territories as measures to speed up delivery and support northern businesses. The involvement of a Tłı̨chǫ-owned partner and the Hay River Métis Government Council is also notable for directing economic activity and jobs into Indigenous-owned enterprises.
Residents and local leaders have previously raised concerns across the territory about the adequacy of housing, the length of social housing waitlists and the need for culturally appropriate supports alongside new units. The government says communities were chosen where need is demonstrable, but the release does not include detailed waitlist numbers or a breakdown of how occupied units will be assigned.
Officials say the units will be ready for occupancy by December and that further deliveries to other communities will continue as part of the phased three-year program. As the project proceeds, questions about long-term maintenance, on-the-ground staffing and supports for residents will be central to whether the new housing eases pressure on communities with existing shortages.
These eight units mark an early milestone in the territory’s effort to increase the stock of smaller, single-occupancy social housing in the North while keeping manufacturing and labour local.
