Inuit housing and homelessness: results from the International Polar Year Inuit Health Survey 2007–2008

Abstract

Objectives. Evaluate housing characteristics across Inuit regions inResults. A total of 2,796 Inuit households were approached, of which 68% participated (n=1,901 households). In ISR and Nunavut, approximately 20% of homes provided shelter to the homeless compared to 12% in Nunatsiavut (p≤0.05). The prevalence of public housing and household crowding also varied by region, with Nunavut having a statistically significantly higher prevalence of crowding (30%) than Nunatsiavut (12%) and ISR (12%). Household crowding was more prevalent among homes with children. Overall, 40% of homes were in need of major repairs and problems with mould were reported in 20% of households. Conclusions. Adequate shelter is a basic human need and an essential foundation for thriving population health. The results indicate that improvements in housing indicators are needed. Of utmost concern is the high prevalence of overcrowding in Inuit homes with children, which poses potential consequences for children's health and well-being. Further, the high percentage of homes providing shelter to the homeless suggests that hidden homelessness needs to be addressed by further research and program implementation. (Int J Circumpolar Health 2011; 70(5):520-531)

IPY Inuit Health Survey speaks to need to address inadequate housing, food insecurity and nutrition transition

“…Overall, 1 in 4 homes were crowded, 1 in 5 homes provided temporary shelter to homeless visitors, and 2 in 5 homes were in need of major repairs (1). Further, homes with children had a greater prevalence of disrepair, a mold problem, and crowding than homes without children with prevalences similar to that found in our Nunavut Inuit Child Health Survey (5).…”

“…Published in the current issue of the International Journal of Circumpolar Health are four manuscripts representing findings from the Canadian International Polar Year (IP) Inuit Health Survey on the inter-related themes of nutrition transition and food insecurity and housing conditions (1)(2)(3)(4). These four manuscripts provide only a small glimpse into the quality of life a population residing in 36 remote communities in the Canadian Arctic.…”

Household overcrowding and psychological distress among Nunavik Inuit adolescents: a longitudinal study

“…The lack of association between household overcrowding and psychological distress could be explained by the instability of the exposure to household crowding that characterises Inuit children and adolescents in Nunavik. The system for attribution of social housing and hidden homelessness together bring the number of people living under a same roof to vary often, more than in the general population [6,10]. Although not formally documented, specific factors may impact exposure to household overcrowding or experience of living in overcrowded households: adolescents have the freedom of sleeping at their parent’s home, at relatives’ or friends’ home, at their romantic partner’s home, etc.…”

“…In the 2016 census, the measure was different but led to a similar proportion of 52% of Nunavik Inuit living in overcrowded households [8]. These data could however underestimate the real household overcrowding rate because they do not consider hidden homelessness, that is, living semipermanently at a friend or a family member’s house because one does not have a permanent dwelling [9], and which could characterise a fifth of the houses in the Inuit Nunangat [10]. Inuit authorities consider the household overcrowding situation a critical public health issue [4] and plead for more household units.…”

Dietary Advice on Inuit Traditional Food Use Needs to Balance Benefits and Risks of Mercury, Selenium, and n3 Fatty Acids

“…The survey assessed household overcrowding, food insecurity, chronic disease risk, diet and nutrition, physical activity, mental health, and blood concentrations of contaminants; the work described herein focuses exclusively on the contaminant, diet, and nutrition data. Evaluations of the other endpoints are presented elsewhere (25,(27)(28)(29)(30)(31).…”