Yellowknife is exploring a bylaw change that would permit the sale of municipal land for as little as $1 to nonprofits focused on developing affordable housing. This initiative, proposed by Deputy Mayor Rob Warburton, aims to address the urgent housing shortage in the Northwest Territories, which currently needs 1,700 more homes. The city’s own assessment indicates a requirement for 1,059 additional units by 2035, with 355 households on the public housing waitlist as of March 2025. Warburton highlighted that land access is a significant barrier for nonprofits, which often face lengthy timelines for project completion due to funding and planning challenges. Habitat for Humanity N.W.T. has expressed support for the bylaw change, noting that previous land donations have been instrumental in their housing projects. However, concerns were raised by the city council regarding the legitimacy of organizations receiving land, with Mayor Ben Hendriksen stressing the need for due diligence to ensure projects are completed and not converted into for-profit housing. City staff are expected to present recommendations on this matter by August 19.