Debates of May 26, 2004 (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Further to my statement earlier, I would like to ask questions to the Minister responsible for Seniors, Minister Miltenberger. Obviously there are many issues pertaining to seniors that one can address in this House, but I would like to start with the housing needs. There is quite a bit of backup with respect to seniors’ housing. We have a lack of facilities for those who are suffering from dementia and they are currently being placed at the hospital, which costs a lot more on a day-to-day basis than if we were to have a separate facility to house the health and physical needs of persons who suffer from dementia. Then some of those seniors are in the hospital or in Aven Manor or Aven Seniors’ Centre, which was not designed for that purpose in the first place. I know that the Minister has been considering a proposal from YACCS, Yellowknife Association for Concerned Citizens for Seniors. I would like to know if the Minister could update this House on where he is with that proposal. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for Seniors, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 133-15(3): Seniors’ Housing Needs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there is work still being done by the working group on the design. Money has been put in this over the last couple of years. Land has been acquired, but they are still working on a design. As well, we are still completing the review of facilities across the Northwest Territories and all the communities that have seniors’ facilities to see what requirements are there to upgrade these facilities to make them compatible for the use we find ourselves requiring these days when it comes to dealing with accountability and plans that are there. So that work, as well, is underway and will be completed in the next few months. Thank you.

Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 133-15(3): Seniors’ Housing Needs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My supplementary question is also to Minister Miltenberger in his responsibility for senior citizens, but I understand this has also to do with the Housing Minister. Mr. Speaker, we have needs for the seniors in terms of those who are suffering from dementia and who have special needs, but also seniors who can function quite independently but for financial or physical needs are not able to be in the marketplace. Does the Minister, as the Minister responsible for Seniors, have any idea to see what the needs are for seniors in terms of their differing housing needs? Thank you.

Minister Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 133-15(3): Seniors’ Housing Needs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the Housing Corporation came up with a seniors’ housing strategy back in 2000 that goes from 2000 to 2005. There was a needs assessment done. Currently there are 10 units slated for Yellowknife and four or five to be built as part of that strategy. In addition, Mr. Speaker, there is an extensive number of programs for seniors. There is the senior citizen home repair program, the seniors’ disabled preventative maintenance initiative, home adaptations for seniors' independent program and emergency home repair and homeowner residential rehabilitation assistance program, all which seniors are eligible for. In addition to that, we have the fuel subsidy. We have the arrangements with municipalities where they can get taxes offset when they hit 60. So, Mr. Speaker, there is an extensive range available for seniors when it comes to housing; some of the best programs in the country. Thank you.

Supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 133-15(3): Seniors’ Housing Needs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have things so well for the seniors, maybe we could just pack up and go home since everything has been dealt with. Surely we know that’s not the case. Mr. Speaker, I believe most of the programs that the Minister has indicated are in the amounts of hundreds of dollars here, hundreds of dollars there, fixing this and fixing that. I do believe that the Minister has to agree that there are no programs currently that would help seniors to get into a low-cost unit for those who have fixed pension income or some sort of income. It’s a nest egg, but it’s probably too large to qualify for any of these programs, but not enough to maintain a house or buy a house in this Yellowknife market. Has the Minister looked at the unique needs that seniors with fixed incomes are suffering with in Yellowknife because of its heated market? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 133-15(3): Seniors’ Housing Needs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, working with the Housing Corporation, needs assessments are done on an ongoing basis. We have a range of programs that are available. There are housing needs across the territory. We are looking at 10 new units here in Yellowknife in addition to the range of programs that seniors are eligible for, that I have already listed, Mr. Speaker. We recognize, as well, that as another program area, there are probably more problems and needs than there are resources. We believe we have a selection of services and resources available here that would help address those particular issues. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Ms. Lee.

Supplementary To Question 133-15(3): Seniors’ Housing Needs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I could tell the Minister that the last time I checked, about a month ago, there were at least six seniors waiting for low cost, not social housing, but low rent housing in the Northern United Place. There are dozens of people waiting for housing in Aven Manor. That tells me there are over 20. Even if there are 10 new units being built in Yellowknife, that would only meet half of the need. I think there is a way to solve this without government actually building senior citizens’ housing. There is a partnership that can be done with the government and private developers. Would the Minister consider looking at what the needs of seniors are and come up with some sort of independent housing? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 133-15(3): Seniors’ Housing Needs

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are waiting lists, I would suggest, in every community for housing. If the Member has a specific suggestion in terms of some creative partnerships and financing that could be done that’s not going to require capital, then I am sure, as a government and as a Housing Corporation, the Minister would be very interested in hearing what those suggestions are. Thank you.