Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to salute the good work going on in my Weledeh riding with the construction of two new homes with assistance from Habitat for Humanity.
Construction is expected to start in June on a new duplex in the Niven Lake subdivision, houses that will eventually be the homes of two four-person families. The new families will move from the rental market into home ownership, thanks to the socially progressive work of this organization and the affordable terms of construction and purchase.
Habitat for Humanity assumes a CMHC backed mortgage which families begin paying as soon as the homes are completed. It’s a no-interest, no down payment, 25-year mortgage. Payments are set at 25 percent of household income. Homes are constructed with volunteer labour and it’s expected that there will be donations of building materials. The new owners participate in the construction, with the required commitment of 500 volunteer hours. These are the first Habitat for Humanity homes to be built in the Northwest Territories and 18 applications were received for the two units available.
Habitat for Humanity has applied the socially progressive approach to home ownership across Canada and around the world. Sixty-nine new homes are being built this year in Canada, putting the organization over the 2,000 mark in homes constructed. The organization has launched home repair and renovation programs and been honoured with a CHMC Aboriginal Housing Award among other plaudits.
Provision for adequate, accessible and affordable housing for the people of the NWT is one of this government’s most critical challenges. While it’s great to see concerned citizens organizing themselves to lend a hand, it gives us pause to consider how well we’re doing meeting our own needs. We have made progress in offering our own home ownership programs and adjusting our rent scales, but far too many of our citizens still lack decent housing, rented or owned.
When it comes time to spend our tight capital dollars, we have to put the critical basic needs of our citizens first. Housing is a key factor in healthy families, communities and the economy. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Inuvik Boot Lake, Mr. Moses.
