My questions today are to the Minister Responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation and relate specifically to the houses that were constructed in Fort Res that now sit vacant. It’s my understanding that at least three of these homes were built by the Housing Corp. through the home ownership program and that, once constructed, there were no eligible candidates to actually take over those houses. So they’ve been sitting vacant for two years.
My question to the Minister is: what criteria are used in determining which community these homes are built in, in anticipation that they will be purchased through the home ownership program?
Thank you, Member. The honourable Minister Responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of criteria. Availability of clients would be one, of course. Another key piece is the whole issue of land and the interest by the community.
Once again to the Minister Responsible for the Housing Corp. Clearly, in this case there were no eligible candidates. I’d be curious, first, why they were actually built in that community.
Secondly, now that we know there are no candidates and the houses have sat vacant for two years, I’m wondering what the Housing Corp. is planning to do and whether they’re planning to work with, say, Education, Culture and Employment to find alternative uses for those houses. Every day that we leave those houses vacant and we have to pay for heat, it costs the government. So what are the plans, and how does the Housing Corp. plan to dispose of this asset, whether through selling it or giving it to another department to use it another way?
There are a number of possibilities that are being considered. In other communities we have rented the units to professionals, those who want to rent it at market rent. We’re possibly looking at replacing some of the older units, those that aren’t worth fixing, with public housing, because O&M money is a significant issue. We have to keep our portfolio in check. We’re prepared, in some cases, to sell the units if there’s interest in the community as well. So there are a number of options that are available.
I was wondering if I can get from the Minister some sort of commitment as to when something might actually happen with these houses. The longer they sit vacant, the more they cost us. At a time of fiscal restraint it seems like a bit of a poor use of our public funds. Can I get some commitment or a timeline on when we might see those assets disposed of in some way?
Mr. Speaker, I will commit to provide to the Chair of the Social Programs Committee a brief note that lays out the plan for the units in Fort Resolution.
Thank you, Minister. The Member for Frame Lake, Ms. Bisaro.
