Buy a Nunavut Home with Down Payment Assistance
The Nunavut Downpayment Assistance Program (NDAP) can provide eligible Nunavummiut with a forgivable loan of $15,000 to $80,000 toward buying or building a principal residence. This guide turns the official program information into clear steps and lets you explore an estimated purchase scenario.
A major head start toward homeownership
Your estimated assistance is based on the household income used by your approved lender. The assistance is registered as a forgivable second mortgage and is forgiven over ten years if you keep the home as your principal residence and remain in good standing.
Official NDAP income scale
NDAP + insured mortgage calculator
Move the sliders to see an illustration of the grant, minimum insured down payment, personal savings gap, mortgage-insurance estimate and monthly payment.
How to use NDAP to buy a home
Check the basic eligibility rules
- At least 19 years old
- Lived in Nunavut for at least one year
- The home will be your principal residence
- You have not owned residential property in the community during the previous five years
- You have not previously received NDAP
Speak with an approved lender
Arrange a personal mortgage pre-approval. Your lender verifies income and creditworthiness, and the income used by the lender determines your NDAP amount. Pre-approval does not guarantee NDAP approval.
Find a suitable home
Existing homes, new construction, condominiums, manufactured homes and modular homes may qualify. The property must be in Nunavut, within municipal boundaries, connected to the QEC grid and used as your principal residence.
Make a properly protected offer
Work with Atiilu and your lawyer to prepare an offer with suitable financing, inspection, insurance and NDAP conditions. Do not assume funding is approved until NHC confirms it.
Prepare the application package
- Completed NDAP application and consent forms
- CRA Notices of Assessment for the past three years for each applicant
- Offer to Purchase or Contract to Build
- Bank commitment for a mortgage/interim financing or proof of alternative financing
- Health-card copies if requested
Receive conditional approval
NHC reviews eligibility, financial capacity, legal documents and available funding. Applications are processed in the order received until the annual allocation is committed.
Complete legal and lender requirements
You sign an NDAP funding agreement and mortgage documents. NHC advances approved funds to your lawyer in trust for closing. The NDAP mortgage is registered as a second charge against the property.
Close and move into your home
Your lawyer applies the funds to the purchase and closing costs once authorized. You must maintain broad-form homeowner insurance for full replacement cost and list NHC as a loss payee.
Protect the forgivable assistance
There is no forgiveness during the first five years. In years six through ten, 20% is forgiven on each anniversary. You must continue living in the home and remain in good standing with NHC and your lender.
It is forgivable—but it is still a registered loan
No monthly NDAP payment is normally required. However, selling, moving out without approval, defaulting, or breaching the agreement can make the outstanding balance repayable. NHC may approve temporary residency waivers for education, work or medical reasons.
Turn the program into a practical purchase plan
- Find suitable Nunavut properties
- Review market value and comparable sales
- Prepare an offer with appropriate conditions
- Coordinate with your lender and lawyer
- Organize inspections, timelines and closing