Kuujjuaq’s former elders’ home to be repurposed as temporary homeless shelter until October 2027

Kuujjuaq’s former Tusaajiapik Elders Home is set to be repurposed as a temporary homeless shelter for one year. The building, which housed elderly residents, was closed earlier this month after its former occupants were relocated to a long-term care facility in Montreal. The decision follows ongoing technical issues with the structure, including heating system failures and other major components, as cited by Nunavik health officials.

A one-year agreement among the municipality, Nunavik Housing Bureau, Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services, and Ungava Tulattavik Health Center will allow the building to serve as a shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Deputy Mayor Claude Gadbois stated the arrangement is part of the city’s effort to find a permanent solution for those in need.

The previous homeless shelter in Kuujjuaq closed in September due to poor conditions, including a leaking roof, mold, and recurring leaks from frozen pipes. Those without housing have since been staying in tents behind the building. Gadbois noted the facility had been deteriorating for years, and maintaining it was no longer feasible.

Residents of the Tusaajiapik Elders Home were moved in September to a facility in Pointe-Claire, Que., following earlier reports of technical issues with the building’s heating system and other components. The Nunavik Housing Bureau, which owns the property, has not provided details on whether these issues have been resolved or if the building is suitable for shelter use.

Gadbois emphasized that the lack of a sprinkler system and the need for renovations were the primary concerns, not the heating problems. He stated the building is suitable for temporary shelter use as an emergency measure, despite these challenges.

In 2014, a fire at an elder’s home in L’Isle Verte killed 32 people, prompting Quebec to require automatic sprinklers in senior housing with 10 or more residents. The deadline for compliance was extended to December 2027. It remains unclear why the Tusaajiapik Elders Home residents were relocated over a year before this deadline. The municipality continues to seek a long-term solution for homelessness in the community.

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