Housing policy often focuses on building more homes, but access to land is just as important. In his new article, Government Land Leasing and Intersections with Housing in the Northwest Territories, Chris Van Dyke explores a unique feature of housing in the Northwest Territories (NWT): many homeowners lease the land beneath their homes from the territorial government rather than owning it outright. The study shows that this practice remains common in smaller communities, where roughly 30 percent of homeowner households are located on government land leases.

Using a combination of data analysis and a review of legislative records, Van Dyke examines how land leasing varies across regions and communities in the NWT. His research finds that the impacts of land leasing are not felt equally. Residential land leases are more common in many smaller and predominantly Indigenous communities, raising important questions about how land policy shapes housing opportunities and long-term community development.

The article contributes to ongoing conversations about housing affordability, Indigenous self-determination, and the role of public land in addressing housing challenges. Van Dyke argues that land policy should be recognized as an important part of the housing system and calls for a more nuanced approach that centres the needs and perspectives of Indigenous communities. For anyone interested in northern housing, land governance, or public policy, this research offers valuable insights into an often-overlooked issue.