Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The government recognizes that improving the quality of housing services provided to residents will help reduce the cost of living in communities across the Northwest Territories. Today I would like to provide an update to Members on the work of the NWTHC and ECE in improving the assessment process for public housing rents, specifically our success in completing reassessments for tenants who wish to have a review of the rent assessed to them in recent years.
The decrease in rent assessments at that time can largely be attributed to an increase in incomplete applications, meaning that tenants did not provide sufficient paperwork to qualify for a subsidy. The NWT Housing Corporation, ECE and the LHOs continue to promote to tenants the importance of providing proper documentation to qualify for assistance.
As Members are aware, on June 1, 2010, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation assumed the full responsibility for rental assessments in the Public Housing Program. In the period prior to this date, the number of rent assessments conducted on a monthly basis had declined to 65 percent. Public housing tenants who were not assessed for the PHRS subsidy were assessed maximum unit rents by LHOs. This in turn led to a number of tenants compiling heightened arrears as a result of not being assessed.
Following the June 1st transfer, ECE and the NWTHC addressed the issue of outstanding assessments by implementing a process for LHOs to submit files for reassessment. Information about the process was provided to all LHOs and LHO tenants in June and December 2010. In the months since this process was implemented, LHOs have reported a significant decrease in the number of outstanding assessments and greatly improved rates of rent assessment on a monthly basis. As of March 1st, only 123 of our over 2,300 households still require a reassessment of their rent for the period April 1, 2006, to June 1, 2010. Across the Territory, LHOs have achieved monthly rent assessment rates above 90 percent, which is a significant improvement over the 65 percent rate that we reached in May 2010.
In terms of reassessments, LHOs and regional ECE offices have worked closely to clear their backlog of files needing reassessment and are meeting acceptable standards of rent assessment on a monthly basis. While in most LHOs there are less than 10 percent of files that may be eligible for reassessment, in most cases these individuals are either no longer residing in public housing or have refused to participate in the reassessment process. In those communities where a backlog remains, staff from ECE and the NWT Housing Corp are working closely with these LHOs to clear the backlog and improve awareness within the community of the opportunity for tenants to be reassessed.
Mr. Speaker, as federal funding for the operation of social housing continues to decline, the funds collected through rent is essential to ensure that LHOs have the financial stability to properly operate and maintain the public housing stock. Timely rent assessments are vital to ensure that tenants are properly assessed and able to avoid arrears by paying their rent in full and on time.
Successful program and service delivery depends heavily on strengthened partnerships. The NWTHC and ECE continue to cooperate in providing assistance to those LHOs requiring additional support and assistance. I have been pleased with the effort put forth by LHOs and ECE staff during the transition period and their dedication to complete assessments. LHOs and local ECE offices have worked well together to complete reassessments and ensure that service is client focused.
Finally, I want to thank those tenants who have come forward and worked with the LHO to conduct a proper assessment of their income and who have begun dealing with their arrears.
In closing, Mr. Speaker, we face many challenges in the delivery of public housing in our communities, but I am pleased to say that our local delivery agents and many of our tenants are working together to ensure that public housing programs remain an important contributor to the Assembly’s goals of sustainable, vibrant and safe communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. McLeod. The honourable Minister of Health and Social Services, Ms. Lee.
