Debates of May 31, 2005 (day 5)

Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the NWT Housing Corporation in terms of the professional housing situation in the Sahtu. I understand there might be some movement in terms of retaining some of our professional people in the Sahtu. Also, the issue of housing is still an issue that I’d like to pursue with the Minister. Is the Housing Corporation doing all it can to retain or attract professional people in our regions in terms of the education field or the health field? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Krutko.

Return To Question 59-15(4): Market Housing Initiative

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, we are working with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment in trying to ensure we are able to track professionals and keep them in our communities by the market housing initiative that is out there. Again, this year we will be putting more units in Deline and Norman Wells. Because Deline is going to have to be delivered over the winter road, they won’t be available until next spring. We’re hoping to have the units in Norman Wells in place by this fall. It is in place. We are continuing to deliver the market housing initiative in the Sahtu region in those two communities, Deline and Norman Wells, this year. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 59-15(4): Market Housing Initiative

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Regarding the market housing initiative, several complaints came from the teachers about the high cost of renting these market housing units and the other expenses to operate these units. Is there any movement on behalf of the department to revisit the rents they have on these units in the region? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Minister Krutko.

Further Return To Question 59-15(4): Market Housing Initiative

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, we have learned from our experience in the last couple of years through the market housing initiative. We are looking at redesigning the newer models with regard to having a duplex layout, so the cost will come down. I think we are looking at somewhere in the range of $850 to $1,000 and that includes utilities. Because we are able to bring down the cost of the units themselves because the individuals want to be able to buy units outright, now we are able to deliver these units at a lower cost than we were able to deliver the first phase for. By making these changes and working out the kinks in the first phase, we are able to bring down the cost, so it is more affordable and people can purchase them at a more affordable price. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 59-15(4): Market Housing Initiative

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Minister. That’s good news with regard to retaining the professional people in the Sahtu. Has the Minister’s department looked at giving some consideration to some organizations in the Sahtu to build affordable units for the professionals in terms of the programs that they can offer to these organizations that would attract professionals? Some of the health workers are unable to come into the Sahtu because some houses are not available. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Minister Krutko.

Further Return To Question 59-15(4): Market Housing Initiative

Thank you, Madam Speaker. We are in discussion with the Ernie MacDonald Land Corporation in Norman Wells. We realize there is a possibility of a market in Norman Wells with the hospital establishing a Sahtu health board. There will be a need for more units than we can offer. So we are in discussion with the people from Norman Wells to look at a partnership, so they can get into the market housing initiative themselves. We would have someone take over that program and run with it. So we are in deliberations with people from Norman Wells, the Metis Development Corporation there. We are in those discussions right now, so we are still working with them to see if there is a way we can work out an arrangement that is satisfactory to both parties. Thank you.

Thank you, Minister Krutko. Final supplementary, Mr. Yakeleya.

Supplementary To Question 59-15(4): Market Housing Initiative

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Can the Minister inform the people in the Sahtu about the other communities? Some teachers are having a hard time getting into units. Maybe other organizations in the Sahtu as well could enter into some sort of discussion or have a meeting with the Housing Corporation to look at providing some affordable units within the Sahtu.

Thank you, Mr. Yakeleya. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 59-15(4): Market Housing Initiative

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, like I stated, we are open to arrangements. But because of the initiative we have, which is to bring affordable housing into communities for professionals, to ensure they are able to acquire housing where there is no staff housing and most of the houses in our communities are public housing, we are looking at improving the number of houses in those communities. But more importantly, we are meeting the needs of our professionals.

Again, because of the efforts by The Department of Education and also Health and Social Services, they have worked with us to lobby the different agencies to make them aware there are programs there and also working with the communities and different corporations out there to get them involved. In order to make sure this program is successful, we have to build partnerships and move forward. So we are open to that and we are working together. I believe we will definitely be able to deliver housing to our professionals and keep them in our communities. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. I think this would be a good time to take a brief recess.

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