(Mr. Tim Mercer): Mr. Speaker, I have a Return to Written Question 5119(2) asked by the Member for Deh Cho on October 31st, 2022, to the Minister of Housing Northwest Territories regarding Housing Northwest Territories off-loading housing units to First Nations.
Can the Minister explain the reason for offloading public housing units onto First Nations organizations;
Mr. Speaker, the disposal of residential property is conducted in a manner that promotes fairness, equity and transparency and that makes the best possible use of public resources. This process supports and encourages the development of housing markets in all communities. Housing NWT is committed to working with any Indigenous government to address their housing aspirations, including the administration of public housing. It is important to note that through the disposal process, Housing NWT approaches Indigenous governments first, but they are not obliged to take on the units. If they are not interested, Housing NWT will put the units up for public tender, and if after going through the process no owners are secured, Housing would look at demolishing the building. This would make the land available for future development.
many are not high market communities, has the Minister explained the financial obligation and problems associated with being a landlord of public housing;
Mr. Speaker, Housing NWT places a high value on collaboration and would work with all relevant parties regarding best practices of public housing administration. Housing NWT has been encouraging and supporting the development of community housing plans in all communities. With the arrival of funding from Canada directly to Indigenous governments, we understand that Canada has also required a highlevel plan from each Indigenous government regarding their housing aspirations. In some cases, in these discussions Indigenous governments have spoken about the desire to assume and renovate some of the older units in their communities to address some of the housing pressures in their communities. As part of the conversations, Housing does share information on the operating costs of units and we have spoken about the tools that Housing has to assist in property/tenant management, things like education tools, leases, preventative maintenance checklists and many other tools. Housing NWT is also looking at expanding training opportunities as part of the conversation that has taken place through the Strategic Renewal, and if property management training for other stakeholders is a priority Housing is willing to work with all parties to find a way to ensure that training is available.
Treaty 11 of 1921 was to ensure free housing for First Nations peoples and hence First Nations housing was devolved to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (now Housing Northwest Territories). Can the Minister provide an update on progress on this obligation;
Mr. Speaker, Housing NWT's mandate is to provide a variety of housing supports to NWT residents who need help the most, regardless of whether or not they are Indigenous. Housing NWT recognizes and supports recent efforts by the Government of Canada to flow significant funding directly to Indigenous governments for their own housing priorities. While there is no reference to housing in the words of Treaty 11, there are negotiating processes available with the federal government to clarify the extent of any obligations under historic treaties.
The Federal Governments Rapid Housing Initiative states only 49 units for the Northwest Territories. As these are 100 percent dollars, why is there such low application numbers for the Northwest Territories?
Mr. Speaker, the Rapid Housing Initiative is a Government of Canada program, and they control the application process. In fact, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has recently opened the application process for Round 3 of this program. Housing NWT will continue to support all interested proponents from the Northwest Territories and continue to advocate to the Government of Canada that housing funding opportunities be designed in a way that works for the North. This includes wherever possible either removing the requirement for a costshare to access federal programs, or at least reduce the cost share to at least a 75/25 with25 percent being the NWT recipient’s obligation rather than the 50 percent or higher required in southern jurisdiction. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
