Jackie Jacobson

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. How does the Housing Corporation decide, Mr. Speaker, on what the economic rent should be in each of our communities? Thank you.

I know. We are going to pay for one. But anyways. The one four-plex that I’m asking for in the community for the young families growing up in the community, is it possible to get that into the community this year for this summer’s construction?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Members of this House hear no end of problems with public housing. Every community in my riding hears the same story. What really gets me, though, is when this government discourages people from working. For example, if you live in public housing in Sachs Harbour and you get a job, you’re going to pay what they call economic rent. I don’t know what economic rent is all about, because hardly anybody can afford it. We’re talking about $3,000 a month plus electricity and water for a three-bedroom house in Sachs Harbour, which could add up to $4,000 a month for a four...

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The question is in regard to professional people coming into the community, doctors, nurses, teachers, and stuff, taking units away from the community. The four-plex that I’m asking for in the community for professional housing, is that program still available for professional housing to provide for outlying people coming to the communities for work?

Just in regard to that, I see on the capital plan that we have for the upcoming season, that you have some communities with five duplexes being built. Sorry, six duplexes being built. With the community of Sachs Harbour, the assessment that was done to the community I think that was not accurate. We have young families growing up needing places to stay and I think this unit, if we could get a four-plex into the community sooner rather than later, what are the chances of getting a four-plex put on this year’s business plan?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to thank my colleagues for all their comments and support given to this motion. Mr. Speaker, if Cabinet adopts this motion, we together could make a real change for the people that we represent. Today I ask for a recorded vote. Thank you.

My motion today is flexible transition period to rent adjustments.

WHEREAS adequate and affordable housing is the most important concern of many Northerners;

AND WHEREAS one of our collective goals is to develop homeownership and financial management skills of tenants without resorting to evictions and other drastic collections actions;

AND WHEREAS housing subsidy programs should be structured so that employment opportunities, even short-term opportunities, remain an attractive option for tenants;

AND WHEREAS the program guidelines currently require immediate increase in rent for tenants who earn...

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Today I rise in full support of the motion that my colleagues are bringing forward with regard to having families in the communities I represent with the high cost of living and fixed income. The luxury we don’t have is private rental properties in the communities. We rely on the housing authority more than ever with the people that we represent. From 30 percent to 25 percent is a start. I look forward to the motion.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell me, when something like this happens in small communities and the Power Corporation in Inuvik, what’s the outreach that the Power Corporation Inuvik office is doing to help community members?

Can the Minister tell me that the residents of other communities all across the Territory, such as Paulatuk... I mean, we had the same issues over the last few years and once they did try to claim, they went so fast and persistent in giving the same service into the communities. Can the Minister tell me the residents of communities that are able to participate in this program?