Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister tell us if she considers the current policy of core needs income thresholds within the NWT Housing Corporation as a fair and just policy for the residents of the NWT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Thebacha. Minister responsible for Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In developing the core needs threshold for the Northwest Territories, it's an ongoing process. The last time it was updated was 2015, but we do hear a lot of concerns regarding the core need income threshold. We are taking a look at it. Also, I want to keep the Member informed that we do charge the 30 percent of the tenant's annual income, and we are the lowest across Canada looking at the needs that we do have and looking at the cost of living in the Northwest Territories. We do try to work very effectively with our residents throughout the territory to making sure that our program is affordable and it meets the needs of the people of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
The core needs income threshold policy has been in effect for at least 20 years or more. Does the Minister feel that the time has come to eliminate this discriminatory policy and replace this policy with something that suits the needs of seniors in the 21st century?
The Housing Corporation has developed this criteria in order to program deliver and to meet the needs of the Northwest Territories, as well. I just want to say that the last time that this was updated was 2015, and it did take an exclusive amount of detail throughout the Northwest Territories to determine our final reporting. It doesn't stop the Housing Corporation from taking a look at this policy and seeing what it is that we need to furthermore investigate and furthermore acknowledge through the policy to meet the needs of the people of the territory.
Will the Minister commit to review the policy of core needs income threshold in order to properly account for one's level of mobility and social and safety needs for seniors?
I hear the Member's comments, as well, because seniors in the Northwest Territories do require housing but then adequate housing. We need to be making sure that we meet the needs that our housing that is developed and the programs that we offer do meet the needs of the seniors but also accessibility and mobility, as well. Yes, I am open to looking at that core needs threshold and taking a look at it and reviewing it because of the needs for seniors have changed significantly over the past 20 years, so I will follow-up with the Member.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary. Member for Thebacha.
Mr. Speaker, will the Minister consider a universal flat market rental rate to all seniors who apply for public housing regardless of their income. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I hear where the Member is coming from, and I thank her for her advocacy for the seniors throughout the Northwest Territories. We do need to consider that we do have families. We do have single parents. We do have people that are fighting addiction. We do have a low-income program that is adequately available to the people who are low-income earners. I would have to find a balance for that in looking at how we are going to work with the seniors and how are we going to work with the struggling parents and the struggling families, as well, so that our programs are received adequately. Right now, I would like to take a look at the core need income threshold and look at the comparisons and the needs that are required within the last report that was completed in 2015. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
