Debates of May 26, 2004 (day 13)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. Mr. Speaker, each of the communities have local housing authorities and subsequently they have boards which govern their activities. I would like to know how much say or how much input the Minister or the NWT Housing Corporation has into the rules applied to tenants living in and applying for public housing in the communities. Thank you.

Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. McLeod.

Return To Question 135-15(3): Public Housing Decisions In Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. In most of the communities across the Territories, we are working with the LHOs to develop a partnership agreement. Our approach from the corporation’s standpoint is that we work together as a team. For the most part, under the partnership agreements, the social housing program delivery falls under their authority. Although we set the general terms of what the requirements are, we also try to work so we give some room for those partnership agreements to incorporate some of their loan standards. We also have some communities that we work directly with under management authorities. It’s fully…(inaudible)…However, it’s more in the management of our programs and their delivery. So we do have some say and authority with how the requirements are set, however, we give flexibility for most of the LHOs to make their own decisions. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 135-15(3): Public Housing Decisions In Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. So then for example, the six-month residency requirement that I referred to in my Member's statement today, would that be something that is a rule that is developed at the local level or is that something that would be put in place by the corporation? Thank you.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 135-15(3): Public Housing Decisions In Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t have the historical detail as to how the six-month rule came about. I believe it’s an NWT Housing Corporation rule that we requested the LHOs to follow. I would have to double check that, however. In every case we try to ensure that the rules that we put in place are consistent, although I can’t say with any certainty whether that’s something that came directly from the corporation or LHOs. Thank you.

Supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 135-15(3): Public Housing Decisions In Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, would the Minister be able to relate to the problem that we have when somebody moves from one NWT community to another? So if they are living in Fort Resolution in public housing and they move to another location and apply for public housing, that six-month residency may create a problem. In another instance I referred to is a single mother who goes south or goes to another community to upgrade their education, comes back to the home community for the summer, is ineligible now -- they’ve left that public housing unit -- for public housing. Does the Minister understand the problem as it relates to mobility of NWT residents amongst different communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 135-15(3): Public Housing Decisions In Communities

Mr. Speaker, I have a couple of points with regard to the question raised by the Member. First of all, the students who are required to leave their community to attend school still retain their principal residence. The six-month requirement only applies to social housing programs. Social assistance also assists people who move to a new community or require housing in a community, and there is no residency requirement on income support. We have to recognize that there is a shortage of housing in all the communities. Our core needs assessments tell us that. It’s not really fair for us to allow people to move from one community to another or move to the head of the line or if there is a waiting list, they get in front of somebody else. We can take a look at the six-month requirement, as the Member has requested. However, we also have partnerships dealing with this issue. I would say that it’s something that was put in place for a reason. It does serve its purpose. If there are situations where people have fallen through the cracks, I will certainly take a look at it. Thank you.

Final supplementary, Mrs. Groenewegen.

Supplementary To Question 135-15(3): Public Housing Decisions In Communities

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I could see where the six-month residency criteria would be very valuable if it was addressing people moving from the South or from other jurisdictions into the Northwest Territories. Of course, you shouldn’t be able to land in town one day and move into public housing the next. I can see that. But I am more concerned about the availability of housing on a short-term basis on the understanding that housing is available. I understand that if there is a long waiting list and every unit is full, that’s one thing, but I think there is something that should be looked at for emergency housing and for waiving the ability and the discretion to waive the six-month residency requirement when there is housing available. I would appreciate it if the Minister would look into that and report back on that. Thank you.

Minister responsible for the Housing Corporation, Mr. McLeod.

Further Return To Question 135-15(3): Public Housing Decisions In Communities

Yes, Mr. Speaker, we will look at that. It’s something we continue to review. The availability of units is an issue that we are always looking at ways to try to address. We’ve tried different things over the years and will continue to do so. We will review the situation raised in Hay River and report back to the Member. Thank you.