Services
Uquutaq clients – men, women – are eligible for a wide range of support services provided or facilitated by the Society. Services include needs assessments, referrals to community programs, social assistance, mental health and addiction services. We also assist clients in obtaining basic identification, work and winter clothing, tenancy training and employment training. We are constantly on the lookout for new funding opportunities to assist our clients.
Besides operating the Men’s Homeless Shelter, Low Barrier Shelter, Transitional Housing Program and Affordable Housing Program, the Uquutaq Society connects clients with partner community organizations who provide cultural services and opportunities. On the land programs, for example, bring clients to the floe edge to learn hunting and survival skills that connect them with each other, themselves and their ancestors.
Men's Homeless Shelter
The Men’s Homeless Shelter is situated on the first floor of 1077 Akilliq Drive and can accommodate up to 30 men. The shelter is almost always at capacity as it provides much-needed relief for men who are either couchsurfing, staying in unheated shacks on the frozen beach or staying in overcrowded housing. Some men, including elders, have been living at the shelter for years. The shelter is open 24/7, provides meal service and support programming to assist clients to move towards the Transitional Housing Program, into public housing or some other form of independent living. This shelter is a high barrier program meaning those entering must not be impaired.
Transitional Housing
The Avataq Transitional Housing is situated on the second floor of 1077 Akilliq Drive. Here, program participants work with staff to develop individualized workplans that aim to prepare clients for independent living. Staffing is 24/7 to enable service provision to meet the working or training schedules of the participants. Meal service is also included in this program. The Transitional Housing building contains 26 beds in a communal living facility.
Low Barrier Shelter
The Low Barrier shelter is located at 534 Apex Road in Iqaluit. It can accommodate up to 10 men and 7 women and operates only as an overnight program, from 8pm to 8am. As a low barrier shelter, staff here are trained to accommodate those in need, even if they are intoxicated or impaired.
Affordable Housing Program
Lack of affordable housing in Iqaluit remains the biggest obstacle for shelter users, couch surfers and other housing vulnerable people to obtain a stable, independent lifestyle. Uquutaq’s affordable housing program includes 11 one and two bedroom units. It hopes the growth of the Iqaluit non-profit sector in this area will help address that. Uquutaq’s housing is contained in a renovated building shared with our offices and the kitchen that serves the Homeless Men’s Shelter. The capital project to purchase and renovate the building along with the creation of the new shelter space was funded by the CMHC Co-Investment Fund under the National Housing Strategy.