Debates of February 6, 2006 (day 23)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question today is to the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment just to talk about the public housing rental subsidies that are going to be coming into effect April 1, 2006. I just wanted to ask the Minister, now that the clients have to apply on a month-by-month basis for this housing subsidy with their income support worker and bring it to the LHO, how is that going to change the income security officers' working relationship with the clients that are applying for housing subsidies. Is that going to affect any of that interpersonal relationship with the client? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Honourable Minister responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Dent.

Return To Question 347-15(4): Housing Subsidy Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would expect that the relationship would be no different than in the office with the income support worker than it is in the housing office right now. Those people who are in stable situations wouldn't have to come in necessarily every month. It's not our intention that that sort of thing would change. Right now, typically somebody who is in a stable situation will have an arrangement with the housing authority where they may only go in once every six months, or once a year. The same sort of circumstance is going to apply for people in stable situations when the income support offices are responsible, as well. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 347-15(4): Housing Subsidy Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess I'm just trying to figure out, people that are in public housing are usually in unstable situations, Mr. Speaker, and I think anybody that's in public housing considered stable is somebody who's unemployed permanently and never wants to work and only wants to pay the $32 a month. That's my picture of somebody being stable in public housing. But I just want to ask the Minister if their housing subsidy application is not filed, what are their options? Say the income support worker couldn't make it into the communities. She fell ill or something and she missed the month. What are the other options for clients to get that subsidy? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 347-15(4): Housing Subsidy Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I guess the people I was talking about who are secure...There are more than 1,300 clients of the NWT Housing Corporation right now who are not on income support. So they're, obviously, in a fairly stable situation. They have salaries and in a situation where their subsidy doesn't change that much from month to month. In terms of back-up plans, just as we do now with people who need income support, we'll have to make sure that there are alternatives in communities to make sure that the service is delivered, just as we need to make sure that people have money to buy groceries. The same sort of responsibility will be required when people need a subsidy for housing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Dent. Final supplementary, Mr. Villeneuve.

Supplementary To Question 347-15(4): Housing Subsidy Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Just another scenario, I guess. If a person changes, if their household income is changed and then they reapply for the housing subsidy program but they miss the deadline, the rent goes to the maximum amount of rent, then it goes back to them. Is there an avenue for adjusting and how long does that go back? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Villeneuve. Mr. Dent.

Further Return To Question 347-15(4): Housing Subsidy Program

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. As with all programs of the government, there is an appeals process. If somebody finds that they haven't an opportunity to meet the program requirements adequately, they can appeal the decision and ask that it be reapplied. The same process will apply here.