Debates of June 7, 2006 (day 7)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions today are for the Minister of the Housing Corporation, Mr. Krutko. This morning there was a piece on the CBC Radio regarding the issue of the seniors’ duplexes that were recently built in Hay River, and basically the crux of the story was that the Housing Corporation had constructed 12 duplexes and they were designed for couples and a number of the new tenants had sold their existing homes prior to moving in. Now, Mr. Speaker, the rent is free, regardless of net worth of the tenant and provided the tenant’s monthly household income does not exceed $3,300, Mr. Speaker. This was a capital project undertaken by the NWT Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, the question is, what was the intended target market, people over the age of 60 regardless of financial means? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. The honourable Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. Krutko.

Return To Question 71-15(5): Seniors’ Housing Project In Hay River

Mr. Speaker, this policy has been in effect for 10 years. It was put in place during the 13th Assembly to allow seniors to live in public housing and not pay rent. The policy has been there and we are simply following the policy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 71-15(5): Seniors’ Housing Project In Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I find that completely outrageous. There’s been a number of concerns raised in the media and from constituents of mine about the fairness of this approach. Some seniors receive fully subsidized housing while others are struggling day in and day out to maintain independent homes with very little support, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask the Minister, what is the plan of the Housing Corporation to address a more fair and equitable distribution of housing support for seniors in the NWT? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 71-15(5): Seniors’ Housing Project In Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as all the Members know, we are moving towards centralizing our social funding to one institution, which is the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, where we’ve basically allocated $30 million from the housing program in regards to subsidies that we provide and through the arrangement of centralizing the funds that are provided to people in the Northwest Territories for programs and subsidy programs from home grants in regards to subsidies for our housing stock for social housing and also in regards to programs that we have from fuel subsidies and whatnot to find a fair process. I think in order to do that now, we have an avenue how we can revamp the program, make it more fair and also have the opportunity to revise it and ensure that we do have a program for people that are in homeownership, but also people in public housing. So there’s presently a process in place to look at that. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 71-15(5): Seniors’ Housing Project In Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I’d suggest the Minister get on that as soon as possible. I mean this type of situation that was allowed to take place under his watch should not be allowed to happen under any circumstances, and he should go back with the Minister of ECE and develop a plan so that there’s a means test and people are treated fairly. I’d like to know from the Minister how many other similar housing units has the Housing Corporation made available to seniors at no cost, regardless of means, in other NWT communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 71-15(5): Seniors’ Housing Project In Hay River

Mr. Speaker, as I stated in my opening remarks, this program has been there for 10 years. The government-of-the-day made a political decision to allow seniors in social housing not to pay rent. The decision was made and with this government they have made a decision to look at a social income review of all social programs, centralized it in one area and look at exactly the fairness of our programs and services. Right now that review is taking place, they will be looking at these issues to ensure that we have a fair process for all people within our social housing stock to people within the private sector. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Krutko. Your final supplementary, Mr. Ramsay.

Supplementary To Question 71-15(5): Seniors’ Housing Project In Hay River

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. This approach is obviously causing division amongst seniors in our communities and while no one could really begrudge a couple for taking advantage of such a generous program, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation can’t provide this level of support to all seniors. It’s impossible, Mr. Speaker, that they do that. I’d like to ask the Minister is this an approach to seniors’ housing that the Minister plans to expand on? He started on it, but I want to hear an answer from him today. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Ramsay. Mr. Krutko.

Further Return To Question 71-15(5): Seniors’ Housing Project In Hay River

Mr. Speaker, as I stated, we are reviewing it through the review of our income security programs. Right now, as a government, we have decided, as Members of this House and as this government, that we are centralizing the programs that we deliver to find a fair mechanism to all people regardless if they live in their own home or are in social housing. Because of the inequities of our programs and services, we want to ensure that everybody is treated fairly. So we are presently going through that process. Once basically there is a review done, the Minister of Education will be coming back to this House to ensure that the programs and services we do deliver are fair and equitable to all residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you.