Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I just want to continue questioning the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation with respect to RCMP units. I would ask the Minister: how many housing units currently occupied by RCMP members in Hay River could be available to the NWT Housing Corporation after the RCMP members move into their new units? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don't have that number with me on hand, but just for the Member's information is that the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is seeking to acquire all federal housing units throughout the Northwest Territories and looking at if we would be able to administer and if those units would be able to be transferred over to the Housing Corporation for our program delivery. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
That is good news. At least they are moving ahead trying to get some units, even though they may not be new. These units were to be acquired. Has the Minister or the department identified a use for them, whether it be public housing, market housing, or home ownership?
The Housing Corporation has a variety of rental and home ownership opportunities and home repair programming, as well. Once we are able to determine what we are able to acquire from the federal government, we will be able to determine the type of programming that we will be offering once the units possibly can be transferred.
If these units were to be acquired, can the Minister confirm if the department knows the condition of the units currently occupied, or would they come over retrofitted?
Once we do, if we are able to acquire the units from the federal government, we will be able to make further determinations.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. What I am trying to do is: I would like to get some units for Hay River before my term is up, so if the repairs or upgrades on those units seem to be cost-prohibitive, would the department look at demolishing them and using the properties to build new units? We gave up six pieces of property, I think it was, for the RCMP units, so I would like to see that land at least be used to build new public housing units. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It would be determined once we are able to acquire these units. I do hear the Member. I am trying to see what I could get in the community of Hay River, and I do realize that we have not had any new builds in that community, as well. Also, I am looking at addressing the seniors issue, as well, for the community. So far, the Housing Corporation has addressed the homelessness issue, but we are looking to work further. Once we get a final answer from the federal government, I will be contacting the Member and looking at specifics for the housing programming in his riding. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Hay River South.
