A new approach to urban development in the city of Yellowknife may ease housing and affordable housing shortages.
The city of Yellowknife is implementing a new “forward-thinking” strategy called “Intensification First.” The approach is focused on increasing housing and commercial space opportunities.
The city said currently about one per cent of its land is “readily available” for new development. Although revitalization is part of the plan, the new strategy would mainly target land areas that are not currently being utilized as residential or commercial spaces.
The city said the strategy will expand housing choices, boost economic growth, and revitalize neighbourhoods.
“By maximizing the use of existing infrastructure such as roads, sidewalks, utilities, and services, intensification will make the city more sustainable and support economic growth. This approach not only helps to meet housing demand but also contributes to creating a more prosperous and vibrant city,” said the city in an April 3 media release.
They outlined three major benefits of the strategy under the categories of social, economic and environmental benefits.
Firstly, the city identified many positive outcomes under the umbrella of “social benefits” including walking and biking, fostering social connections, and improving transit while reducing traffic.
Also under the umbrella of social benefits, they said the new strategy would help increase affordable housing.
The new strategy is designed to boost economic benefit by transforming vacant spaces, boosting property values, new residents, business activity, and creating jobs.
Thirdly, the city said there will be environmental benefits like “preserving ecosystems, lowering emissions, and optimizing urban land use.”
The city highlighted some of its current initiatives supporting the Intensification First strategy:
- New “Residential Intensification” Zones (RI, RI-1): These zones are designed to encourage and facilitate residential development.
- Development Incentive Grants: Financial incentives for affordable housing projects, mixed-use developments, and home improvements.
- Comprehensive Intensification Policy: Part of the ongoing update to the Community Plan, this policy provides a framework to expand housing options, commercial space, and vibrant neighbourhoods.
On its website, the city outlined the main steps that must be completed for applicants to qualify for abated payments:
- a certified property assessment
- signed contribution agreement
- authorization by the Planning Administrator and Director of Corporate Services
The city also outlined some examples of potential of “Intensification in Action” projects that could be approved:
- Converting a Single Detached House into a Duplex or Triplex: A single-family home in the downtown area can be renovated into a duplex or triplex, to achieve gentle density on the same lot.
- Developing Multi-Unit Residential on a Vacant Lot: Vacant land zoned for single-detached housing can be transformed into a 4-plex, 6-plex, or small apartment building, adding much-needed housing.
- Mixed-Use Developments: Low-rise commercial buildings can be redeveloped to include residential units on the upper floors, creating more housing and fostering a vibrant, walkable community.
- Laneway Housing or Secondary Suites: Residential neighbourhoods can accommodate secondary suites or laneway housing without significantly altering the character of the neighbourhood.
- Repurposing Underutilized Buildings: Vacant office buildings or warehouses can be converted into residential units or mixed-use developments.
Many people are looking to access a limited supply of housing in Yellowknife, a factor that can inflate housing costs.
The rental of a single private room in Yellowknife can cost anywhere from about $900 to $1500 per month. It’s a challenge to access housing let alone affordable housing.
Jeanne Gard, who is the Housing NWT Communications Manager told True North FM that Housing NWT is supportive of municipal initiatives to encourage housing growth.
The new strategy is not specifically connected to Housing NWT and they are ineligible for any of the strategy’s incentives, but Gard said the organization supports the initiative.
Gard explained that the incentives associated with the Intensification First Strategy and the provision of certain levels of affordable housing within developments have the potential to increase the affordable housing supply in Yellowknife.
Erin Kelly, president and CEO of Housing NWT told True North FM that there are over 2,600 public housing units operated by Housing NWT and Local Housing Organizations in 31 communities in the NWT.
“In Yellowknife, there are 345 public housing units and as of April 3, 2025, there are 356 people on the waiting list for public housing,” said Kelly.
“New public housing units are continually being built and delivered to communities across the territory,” added Kelly.
The new strategy is aimed at potentially increasing the number of units and affordable units being built.
Gard explained it’s still important to keep in mind that public housing is but one part of the “housing continuum.”
“Certain aspects of the strategy include requirements for affordable housing. The strategy could increase affordable housing options in Yellowknife and therefore would very likely contribute to a more robust housing continuum in the city,” said Gard.
Anyone interested in applying for NWT’s Public Housing program can contact the Local Housing Organization or District Office for more information.
Contact numbers and email addresses are listed on Housing NWT’s website.
True North FM reached out to the City of Yellowknife and Mohammad Alam, the Planning and Environment manager, for more details and will share those once they become available. City Corporate Communications Advisor Saxon Chung told True North FM that the city is planning to release more information about the Intensification First strategy soon.
