98 people living in tents, shacks and shelters in Nunavut

A recent survey by the Nunavut government found 98 people in the territory are living in shelters, shacks and tents.

The capital is the hardest hit: 57 people rely on the city's emergency shelters.

Another 15 are finding shelter anywhere they can, including the abandoned shacks dotting Iqaluit's shoreline.

The government surveyed people in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet and Cambridge Bay in February.

The count did not look at overcrowded homes, but instead surveyed those who use shelters and food banks and live in tents and shacks.

Jeannie Ugyuk, the minister for homelessness and poverty reduction, released the findings in the legislative assembly on Monday.

“This has produced a great deal of valuable information about how people find themselves to be homeless in Nunavut, and what they need to find to maintain housing.”

Ugyuk says the government will be sharing its findings at a community consultation some time in the next few weeks.