Thank you, Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, Carlson Construction of Edmonton completed the Lanky Court apartment complex in 1976. At the time, CMHC was the mortgage holder with a 50year loan in place the projected lifespan of the property. Carlson Construction leased the property to the NWT Housing Corporation for 15 years with the GNWT holding a onetime option to purchase, exercisable in 1991. The building was originally intended to accommodate GNWT staff.
Madam Speaker, in August 1988, a report was commissioned, "Lanky Court A Study of Building Rehabilitation for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation." This report advised the GNWT that they would need to spend $2.6 million to rehabilitate the Lanky Court Apartments. The property’s appraised value at the time was $2.7 million.
In August of 1989, the fire marshal condemned the Lanky property due to electrical hazards created by longstanding roof membrane and envelope issues that dated back to construction. Madam Speaker, all of these problems are well documented in the 1988 report.
Northview currently owns the complex, and we all know they rely on public housing revenue for their northern portfolio. And we all know, Madam Speaker, what type of landlord this massive national REIT is.
Recently a tenant was paid more than $4,000 after maintenance crews left moldy stinking holes in common areas after repairing a leaky pipe. We have heard complaints in this House about the recent cockroach infestation. The Yellowknife Housing Authority says they are aware of the insect issue and are working with Northview to remedy the problem. However, tenants report being threatened with fines if they can’t get out of their apartment to allow it to be sprayed yet the pest control specialists don’t show up at the scheduled time.
We have one family living in hotel rooms due to the unabated mold growing in their apartment; and, trying to help a mother of five, one in a wheelchair, get the boardwalk cleared of snow so her son can attend school. She doesn’t know what she would do in the event of a fire other than to drop her son off the boardwalk for a twostorey drop.
Madam Speaker, as the 50year projected lifespan of the Lanky Court Apartments comes to an end, what has the Housing Corporation done to ensure the property is habitable? If it was deemed unsuitable for GNWT staff housing in 1989, why is it acceptable for it to be used for public housing clients now? I will questions for the Minister of Housing at the appropriate time.
Thank you, Member. Members' statements. Member for Thebacha.
