As Members are aware, the 15th Legislative Assembly placed an emphasis on helping northerners to move forward on self-reliance. The income security policy framework was developed in 2005 to help us move in this direction and to provide a coordinated approach to the delivery of programs and services. As part of the larger income security reform project, in April 2006, administrative responsibilities for the Public Housing Rental Subsidy Program were transferred from the NWT Housing Corporation to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. The primary objective of placing all subsidies under one department was to ensure fair and equitable treatment for all residents, and increase awareness of, and access to, the programs and services that support self-reliance.

Like any large-scale transfer of this magnitude, there have been some challenges for all parties involved. These challenges include establishing new relationships between tenants, ECE and local housing organizations, ensuring sufficient cash flows for local housing organizations, training staff for new responsibilities and helping clients adapt to new administrative procedures.

A number of actions were taken during and since the transfer of the PHRS to mitigate challenges. Tenants were provided with information on the change in administrative arrangements for the program, and income security officers adjusted their monthly schedule to meet with tenants applying for the subsidies and have adapted flexible schedules to accommodate the varying income levels of tenants throughout the year. Training has been provided for income security officers so they could effectively and efficiently administer the PHRS Program. A Public Housing Rental Subsidy Steering Committee made up of representatives from Education, Culture and Employment, the NWT Housing Corporation and the local housing organizations was formed to provide ongoing support and guidance on the administration of the program. Policies for the program inherited from the NWT Housing Corporation have been retained to help people with the transition. ECE also continues to cash flow the PHRS to the NWT Housing Corporation to help the LHOs meet their operating costs, and cash flow has been adjusted to address vacancy rates.

Since the transfer of the program, there have been a number of other actions taken. The assessment period for income was shortened from two months to one month; data collection processes have been developed to improve the monitoring and reporting of Public Housing Rental Subsidy information; and condition ratings of public housing units have been updated to allow eligible tenants to receive a reduction in rent based on the condition of their unit.

There are a number of challenges that require further work to ensure the program works smoothly for all parties, including clients, local housing organizations, the NWT Housing Corporation and ECE. For example, more work is needed to implement the government service centres that support the delivery of income security programs, including the PHRS Program, in a number of communities. Ongoing work is needed to develop and establish relationships between tenants and the income security officers so assessments can be completed in a timely basis to avoid tenants building up unnecessary arrears with the LHOs. Different clients have varying needs when they access income security programs from the government to fulfill their aspirations. As such, we need to ensure our program supports can be flexible to meet the needs of different client groups such as seniors who may need different support systems.

Where possible, we also need to identify ways to streamline procedures and systems for the program to operate smoothly.

To address the challenges that remain and to ensure quality service in this area, Education, Culture and Employment and the NWT Housing Corporation have initiated a review of the Public Housing Rental Subsidy Program. Regional consultations have begun with staff, tenants and interested key stakeholders, and the program will be reviewed in light of the new income security model. Additional issues may be defined through this process that will need to be addressed.

I look forward to sharing the results of this review with you in the next sitting of the Legislative Assembly in February 2008 and the plan of action being taken to address the issues in our ongoing commitment to making improvements for the Public Housing Rental Subsidy. I also look forward to hearing from Members about how we can make improvements that support the needs of northerners, respecting their need for support and their desire for self-reliance.

In the meantime, we acknowledge that there are definite challenges that need to be overcome. I’m sure that with a collaborative approach between all parties involved, we can achieve a suitable and workable solution. This can only be achieved by using a team approach. I, therefore, look forward to working with all Members of this House to assist in improving the program, as it affects every community in the NWT. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

---Applause