A housing complex in Yellowknife, which previously included subsidized units, is undergoing a transformation into market housing following a fire that forced the evacuation of its residents earlier this year. Northview Reit, the building’s owner, is rebranding the property as a modern “boutique community” nestled in downtown Yellowknife, now named Sa Naio.
The building, previously known as Sunridge Place Apartments, was marred by incidents such as a deadly sword attack, an axe attack, a nearby stabbing, drug busts, and neighbor complaints before being rendered uninhabitable due to the fire in March. The subsidized units in the complex are now available for market rent as part of the Northwest Territories’ government’s shift away from public housing under private landlords like Northview.
Repairs and renovations have been ongoing at the former Sunridge building, now Sa Naio, since the fire. The transition away from leasing units from private landlords was already in progress before the fire, as confirmed by Jim Martin, Housing N.W.T.’s vice president of finance and infrastructure services. The territory plans to rent out government-owned units instead, focusing on modular and prefabricated construction projects.
Future projects, including the development of a 50-unit building and the Aspen Apartments, aim to align with this plan while incorporating environmentally friendly features such as biomass heating. Despite the loss of the former Sunridge building, the number of available public housing units in the city remains unchanged at 345 units. Northview did not respond to CBC News’ inquiries by the deadline.
In a public consultation with MLAs in May, a Northview representative addressed issues surrounding social agencies offering subsidized housing and the challenges faced by the company regarding crime and vandalism in its N.W.T. buildings.