In January 2026, Housing NWT signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOU) with the Acho Dene Koe First Nation that could change how homes are built and managed in Hay River, Northwest Territories. The agreement moves toward a community‑led model, giving Indigenous governments a primary role in planning, delivery and maintenance so local leaders can take more responsibility for planning, repairs and building projects.
The deal serves as a blueprint for how the territorial government intends to work with other groups across the South Slave region. Premier R.J. Simpson, who assumed the Housing portfolio in December 2025, has said housing is a top priority and the government wants decisions to reflect community needs. Former Housing Minister Lucy Kuptana has also emphasized community‑rooted decision‑making: “Decisions are better when they are rooted in what we see and hear directly from communities.” The move follows a 2025 Auditor General performance audit that found Housing NWT needed to improve monitoring of unit allocations and maintenance and provide clearer guidance on housing programs.
For residents in Hay River, the model could help speed up projects such as the planned 30‑unit social housing rebuild announced in December 2025; that project was in procurement and was scheduled to begin construction in the summer following the announcement. Local leaders and Housing NWT officials say giving local authorities more control and using modular homes — pre‑made units that can be installed more quickly — could support Hay River’s strategic target of adding 140 new homes over five years.
