Debates of February 14, 2005 (day 35)

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. My questions today are for the Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation. In my Member’s statement, I spoke about some of the inconsistencies that the constituents are experiencing with how the Housing Corporation reviews and applies the level of rent scale. I am just wondering if the Minister can tell me what guidelines we are using today. How do we determine who pays what rent and at what levels, Mr. Speaker? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, the Honourable Mr. Krutko.

Return To Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with regard to the rent, it is based on format of thresholds for low income tenants who pay a lot less than people who are in the high income range. So it is based on the amount of income that you receive. It is calculated through a phase-in approach, that I mentioned, by way of the rate scale system that we have, which was supposed to be phased in over four years. We are now in the second year of a four-year phase-in, so we are now looking at readjusting that to phase in over this year and next year, which, as it stands right now, is basically 30 percent this year and 10 percent next year, but I know that is an issue with the Member. That is the process of how we evaluate it. It is based on the amount of income that a tenant receives. The higher the income that you have, the higher the rent you pay.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Your supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Mr. Speaker, thank you very much. Perhaps the Minister can answer for me, when does the corporation expect to review some of the guidelines that currently exist to make it more reflective of the needs of today, of our constituents, and, indeed, of our clients who are using the Housing Corporation programs? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, with regard to the way the Social Housing Program is delivered, it is a social program that is delivered through CMHC -- which are national programs that are delivered across Canada for social housing -- where, as an agent of CMHC, we, as the territories, along with Nunavut, probably have one of the leaner rate scales in the country. Again, it is a national standard that we follow. Again, this is social housing. It is designated for low income tenants, but also we accommodate people who want to move into social housing with the awareness that, as a high earner, you will be paying more for those units. Social housing is for those clients who receive low income. That is why we have a rate scale that is set through income thresholds. That is how we determine your rates. It is a national program that is across Canada, which is delivered by way of social housing through CMHC. We are delivering the program similar to other jurisdictions in Canada.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’m just wondering if the Minister was speaking about national guidelines as well. I guess I was looking more for how we get an appeals process going because that’s the real problem here, Mr. Speaker. A lot of the issues I’m hearing are that the Housing Corporation is not responsive; how do we get them to understand my unique circumstances? Like in the case I was talking about in my Member’s statement, Mr. Speaker, how does that person appeal the process, is the question. Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as everyone knows, rate increases are based on the tenant’s act, which is an act which is enforced through the Department of Justice. At this time, in order to increase any rent, you have to give three months' notice. If you’re not satisfied with that decision, you appeal that to the tenancy officer who is there to oversee the tenant’s act. That’s the appeals process that you go through. You appeal a decision you don’t like or an eviction that you receive through the tenancy officer who is responsible for enforcing the tenant’s act. Again, that follows the Department of Justice.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.

Supplementary To Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I believe that some of the tenants are aware that if they do have rent problems, that there is a tenancy officer who they can deal with and bring their concerns to. But I was thinking of the Housing Corporation programs in general, Mr. Speaker. Is there an appeal process? I know our current housing act is very old, it’s from about 1978. I believe it’s time to review it. There’s just no room for an appeals system in that current structure. I would just like to get the Minister’s assurance that they will take the time to look at that act and review it and update that act is what I’m really after, Mr. Speaker. Will the Minister do that? Thank you very much.

Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 377-15(3): NWT Housing Corporation Rent Scale

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, presently we are reviewing the mandate of the Housing Corporation and this is one of the areas we can focus in. Because we haven’t concluded that review, this is something we’ll definitely bring back to the department to look at and see if there are ways we can revise how we determine rents and rates. I’ll bring it back to the Member. Thank you.