Housing Help
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TerritorialSocial assistance Northwest TerritoriesVerified June 2026

Northwest Territories Public Housing Program

This is subsidized rental housing in the NWT for people most in need, in homes owned by Housing NWT across 31 communities. Rent is based on your income. You never pay less than $70 or more than $1,625 a month. Seniors get up to $1,000 a month taken off the income used to set their rent.

What you get

Up to $1,625/month

Who it's for

You qualify if you live in the NWT, are most in need, and need income-based rent help.

Start your application

This takes you to the official website

Depends on your household size and income.

What to have ready

Documents they may ask for

  • Government ID for everyone in your household, if available
  • A copy of your lease or rent agreement
  • Recent rent receipt, ledger, or proof of what you owe
  • Recent pay stubs, benefit statement, or income proof
  • ODSP, Ontario Works, CPP, OAS, or other benefit statement if you have one
  • Recent bank statement, if the program asks for it

What to say when you call

Hi, I found your housing support program and I want to check if I can apply. Can you tell me the current rules, documents needed, and the next step?

Use the official page first, then call 211 if you are not sure where to start.

Can I get this?

You have a good chance if this sounds like you:

  • You qualify if you live in the NWT, are most in need, and need income-based rent help
  • Rent is based on the total income of everyone in the home over 19
  • Seniors get a deduction of up to $1,000 a month from the income used to set rent

What to do next

Check off each step as you go — we'll remember where you are.

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The fine print

More details about the money

Rent is income-based: no household pays less than $70 per month or more than $1,625 per month. Seniors receive up to a $1,000 per month deduction from the income used to calculate rent.

Amounts and eligibility change. Confirm the current figure with the program administrator through the official link before you rely on it.

The full eligibility rules

NWT residents most in need who require income-based rental assistance. Rent is calculated on the total household income of all residents over the age of 19. Seniors receive up to a $1,000 per month deduction from the income used in the rent calculation.

Good to know

Min $70 / max $1,625 per month, the senior $1,000/month income deduction, income counted on household members over 19, year-round intake, annual reassessment and the 31-community footprint were confirmed from the Housing NWT program page (fetched). NOTE: the official page says 'Seniors' without specifying age 65+; the draft's '(65+)' qualifier is not stated on the page, so it has been removed. The rent scale is the current 'new public housing rent scale' and is subject to future policy change.

Official sources we checked
Official program page
This is a summary to get you started — the official page always has the final say. Spot something wrong? Tell us.
This guide is published by Mithulan Perinpanayagam, CPA, CA, who also co-founds Foundation Capital, a private real-estate firm that operates rental housing. Foundation Capital does not set its rents based on anything on this site. This guide is information only — not financial, legal, tax, or benefits advice, and using it does not create a professional relationship. Always confirm current details with the program administrator through the official link before you rely on them.

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