Inuvik homeless shelter aims to open in November after bedbug closure

After it was shut down by bedbugs in April, Inuvik's homeless sheltercould reopen by the end of November, pest free, and with some major renovations to address building-code issues.

The building wasvacated back in April, after it was discovered that there was a bedbug infestation.

• Inuvik's homeless shelter temporarily moves after bedbug infestation

• Funding cuts lead to longer summer closure for Inuvik's warming centre

"I'm really concerned that it's been so prolonged," says Lucy Kuptana, the shelter society's chair.

"The clients are like, 'We just need a roof over our heads and a warm place to sleep.'They just want to get back into the building."

The closure stretched on because the building needed more than just fumigation it also needed some upgrades to pass inspections.

Money comesin stages

The society asked the NWT Housing Corporation for $100,000 from its homelessness fund, and got $67,000.

That covered the cost of bringing up an exterminator from outside of the region to fumigate the building, but Kuptana says it didn't cover the whole cost of getting the building fixed.

She says to pass the environmental health inspection, the society needs to add another sink for disinfecting andreplace bathtubs with shower stalls. The societyalso wants to replace the building'sold and leaking toilets.

Kuptana says she applied again for funding in June, and two weeks ago receivedan additional $25,000 from the housing corporation.

"There is a huge maintenance issue with the homeless shelter," said Kuptana. "There needs to be better co-ordination between all of the agencies."

Shelter clients have had to move twice since the closure.

Kuptana said some of the society'sclients are staying with family or friends, others at the John Wayne Kiktorak Centre, also known as the Inuvik Emergency Warming Shelter. But that centre also takes in people struggling with addictions.

"The clients at the homeless shelter are the ones that are trying to really change their life, and practise sobriety, and trying to re-enter the workforce," saidKuptana.

Mayor says November deadline is realistic

The building, which the homeless shelter has been operating out of for about 10 years, is owned and maintained by the Town of Inuvik.

Mayor Jim McDonald said the contractor started Monday.

"They've got all the materials they need in town," he said.

"There shouldn't be any delays due to the road closure I would say by the end of November they should be back to operational."

• FROM 2017 | Inuvik firefighters rescue emergency warming centre with $38K donation
• FROM 2015|Inuvik's wet shelter seeks new home after Anglican church backs out

The homeless shelter was also recently awarded $4,900 from the Inuvik's 100 People Who Care, a local organization that chooses a charity to support every threemonths.

Kuptana said that money is going toward replacing all of the furniture and supplies that had to be thrown out due to the bedbug infestation.