Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Written Question 24-17(5), asked by Ms. Bisaro on March 3, 2015, regarding 2015 transitional housing income support.
1.
Mr. Speaker, Ms. Bisaro asked four questions, the first being: "Does the Department of Education, Culture and Employment income support division have a definition of “transitional housing” that they use to determine a client's eligibility for income assistance?"
Mr. Speaker, an individual's eligibility for the Income Assistance program is determined in accordance with the Income Assistance Regulations under the Social Assistance Act and is further prescribed in the Income Assistance Policy Manual. The Income Assistance Regulations and policies do not include a definition of “transitional housing.”
2.
Mr. Speaker, Ms. Bisaro's second question was: "If yes, please provide it. If no, how does the department determine if a client is in transitional housing, and if they are, how does the department determine if the client is eligible for income assistance?"
Mr. Speaker, all clients' eligibility for the Income Assistance program is determined in accordance with the Social Assistance Act, Income Assistance Regulations and associated policies. Specifically, a client must be a “person in need,” as defined in Section 1.1, and meet one of the residency requirements set out in Section 1.11 of the regulations.
3.
Mr. Speaker, Ms. Bisaro's third question asked: "What policy governs clients whose only accommodation option is a motel or hotel room? Why are they not eligible for income assistance?"
Mr. Speaker, as discussed in response to the previous two questions, an individual's eligibility for the Income Assistance program is determined in accordance with the Income Assistance Regulations under the Social Assistance Act and the Income Assistance Policy Manual.
The Income Assistance program includes a variety of benefits such as allowances for food, room and board, accommodation, fuel and utilities, among others. Under Section 3.3 of the Income Assistance Policy Manual, transient living accommodations in a hotel, motel, tourist establishment or hostel are not eligible for an accommodation allowance because the accommodations are not bound by the Residential Tenancies Act and there is no written tenancy agreement between the client and landlord; however, while someone residing in a hotel or motel is not eligible for a rental allowance, they may still be eligible for other income assistance benefits, depending on their circumstances.
Going forward, the department is committed to reviewing how it provides rental allowances as part of the Income Assistance program.
4.
Mr. Speaker, Ms. Bisaro's fourth question was: "Explain what a client in an emergency housing situation, i.e. no housing options, should do to find accommodation. Who should they go to?"
Mr. Speaker, ECE provides funding to help non-government organizations (NGOs) operate emergency shelters in the NWT. These shelters are available for people who are faced with an emergency housing situation. The department works with the NWT Housing Corporation and the Department of Health and Social Services to address the complex issues associated with homelessness. I commit to continuing the conversation with the social envelope departments as part of our integrated case management work. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
