Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister of Housing. My first question, Mr. Speaker, is: can the Minister identify the current number of inuse or available public housing and market rental units in Nunakput communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Within the region, within Tuktoyaktuk itself, we have 162 public housing units and nine affordable housing units; in Paulatuk, we have 57 public housing units and nine affordable housing units; in Ulukhaktok, we have 90 public housing units and 11 affordable housing units. Sachs Harbour, we have 20 public housing units and five affordable housing units. That makes a total, Mr. Speaker, of 320 public housing units and 34 affordable housing units.
I appreciate the response. Mr. Speaker, my second question is: how is the Housing Corporation progress in its housing project conversations with the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation?
As some of the Members may be aware, NWT Housing Corporation had originally had money in that region within this budget, this coming budget. We had to do a reallocation of that because the federal government gave the monies directly to the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation. So that was $15 million totally; $10 million coming up in the new fiscal year.
So the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, which I will call "IRC" from here on, does have the discretion to use their funding as they see fit. However, we have met with them and we both decided that it is in the best interest to the residents of the Northwest Territories to work in partnership. So we have had many meetings with the IRC. We have given them our templates; they have come back. We have signed agreements. They are looking at tailoring some of the projects a little bit more. We gave them a range of ideas. They are liking the seniors' units at this point. So we are willing to work with them on their terms to ensure that the housing needs within the region are met and that we are providing the best services to the residents of the Territories.
It's good to hear that progress. Mr. Speaker, my third question is: can the Minister provide an update on the corporation's single four-plex projects and how the work may be expanded in the years to come?
Sixty-two per cent of the public housing wait list actually at this point is comprised of applicants needing a single bedroom unit, so we do have a huge demand for single units, and it's really hard to balance that need for singles when we also have needs for families with children. We will be putting a huge emphasis, though, within the coming year on singles. Like I had said in my previous answer, the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation also recognizes the need for seniors and are working with us to address this issue within their region.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nunakput.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the response from the Minister. Mr. Speaker, my final question is: how is the corporation advertising its survey to Nunakput residents? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Previous announcements to the Housing survey were provided through various methods: we did some media campaign; we did a radio campaign. We have our local Housing organizations and our government service officers trying to go work with people; the government services officers, when they're doing their home visits, to actually get the survey done.
It was requested that we extend the survey for one month at the beginning of this session. I have agreed because it is more important for me to get quality work than to just get the work done. So we are, again, refocusing our campaign. We are really being more strategic in our radio campaign so that it is actually hitting the targets of when the community people do listen to the radio more than other times, and the communities that have low response rates we are trying to get out and knock on more doors to be able to have a good representation from every community so that this process will help us develop the community plans. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Mackenzie Delta.
