Work has begun at the new K'áhsho Got'ı̨nę Trades Centre in Fort Good Hope on two modular duplexes bound for Tulita, a development government and community leaders say will add much‑needed social housing while strengthening local trades capacity.
Local manufacturing, local jobs
The trades centre, which celebrated its grand opening on Aug. 28, is operated by Ne’rahten Development Ltd., the business arm of the Yamoga Land Corporation. The facility is intended to support year‑round construction of modular housing, provide hands‑on training for local carpenters and advance community‑led housing solutions across the Dehcho and Sahtu regions.
Five community‑based carpentry apprentices are currently employed at the centre, gaining practical experience on the shop floor as the duplex builds progress. Officials describe the combination of manufacturing capacity and apprenticeship opportunities as a crucial step toward addressing persistent housing shortfalls in small communities.
Duplexes for Tulita and delivery schedule
The project will yield four new social housing units for Tulita in the form of two duplexes. One duplex is planned for delivery during the coming winter road season and is expected to be ready for occupancy in Spring 2027. The second duplex is scheduled for delivery the following year.
“Seeing construction begin on these duplexes for Tulita is an exciting sign of what partnerships like this can achieve... The K'áhsho Got'ı̨nę Trades Centre is not only building homes, it's building skills, jobs, and opportunities that are felt across the territory,” said Lucy Kuptana, Minister Responsible for Housing NWT.
Officials say the Tulita duplexes are part of a wider initiative: a 98‑unit project focused on singles housing for communities across the Northwest Territories. Ten of those homes are earmarked for Tulita as part of the current phase of planning and manufacturing.
- Number of new units for Tulita from duplexes: 4
- Overall planned units in the project: 98
- Communities selected for singles housing: 9
- Apprentices currently working at the trades centre: 5
Where the homes are headed
The nine communities identified for the singles housing component are Ulukhaktok, Tuktoyaktuk, Inuvik, Délı̨nę, Tulita, Behchokǫ̀, Fort Simpson, Fort Providence and Fort Smith. The communities were chosen based on demonstrated need for one‑bedroom and singles housing, according to Housing NWT.
| Community | Planned units (project-wide) |
|---|---|
| Tulita | 10 |
| Ulukhaktok, Tuktoyaktuk, Inuvik, Délı̨nę, Behchokǫ̀, Fort Simpson, Fort Providence, Fort Smith | Remaining (part of 98) |
Local demand remains high
Housing NWT reports there are currently 20 households on the social housing waitlist in Tulita, with 16 of those households seeking one‑bedroom units. The demand aligns with findings from the NWT Territorial Housing Needs Assessment, which notes growing need for smaller units suitable for singles and small households across the territory.
Construction of modular units in regional centres like Fort Good Hope is seen as a way to reduce costs and delivery times compared with building on remote sites during short summer construction seasons. Officials say factory construction also helps maintain continuity of work for tradespeople and apprentices through the winter months.
Economic and community impacts
Beyond delivering housing, proponents say the trades centre model invests in local capacity. The facility provides employment, apprenticeships and an environment for community‑led solutions — elements public officials and Indigenous corporations highlight as central to long‑term improvements in territorial housing.
For Tulita, where many households are seeking smaller units, the two duplexes represent a modest but tangible increase in social housing stock. The first duplex’s anticipated arrival on the winter road will be a test of logistics as crews transport modular units along seasonal routes to the community.
As the trades centre ramps up production, officials say the initiative will be evaluated on its ability to deliver units on schedule, provide meaningful training to apprentices and reduce time and cost barriers for housing in remote communities.
Work continues at the K'áhsho Got'ı̨nę Trades Centre this autumn as carpenters and apprentices move from the shop into the final assembly phases on the Tulita duplexes.
