Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Sorry, Mr. Speaker. We all want to be here today, so there you go.
Mr. Speaker, your Standing Committee on Social Development is pleased to provide its Report on Housing Phase One: Needs for NWT Homeowners and Private Landlords, and commends it to the House.
The Standing Committee on Social Development is pleased to provide a report on the first phase of their housing review, examining issues affecting homeowners and landlords. The review shines a light on the longstanding housing policy issues that have remained unsolved over decades, as well as the growing housing challenges and declining federal and territorial housing dollars.
Committee members recognize the added stress COVID19 has had on the already strained Northern housing sector. Committee members are appreciative of the range of measures the government has provided to support NWT landlords, homeowners, and tenants through the COVID19 crises. Committee members worry housing resources will become even more constrained as demands to support recovery efforts intensify. Committee members feel now, more than ever, strong leadership and action is needed to shape and strengthen the NWT housing sector.
The following report is reflective of the response received from roughly twenty different stakeholders who shared their valuable opinions, experiences, and expertise. The recommendations in the report support the action stakeholders say are needed to increase and improve housing stock, and to decrease longstanding barriers affecting the NWT housing sector. The following recommendations are made to support these views:
Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories increase access to titled land to help homeowners and landlords meet financing and insurance obligations in NWT communities.
To ensure clarity in federal and territorial responsibilities related to Indigenous housing, the Standing Committee on Social Development recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories develop a policy and program barrier document to support Indigenous groups overcome barriers to qualify for federal financing programs, like ministerial loan guarantees.
The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories partner with the northern private sector, nonprofit, and Indigenous governments to develop government lease agreements to support access to financing for the development of housing stock and programs.
The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories increase government funding and rental housing stock to provide supportive rental housing programs for vulnerable populations to have housing and onsite support to remain housed.
The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories work with community partners to create an indeterminate communitybased preventative maintenance program for homeowners.
The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories expand and increase funding to the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation's repair program and decrease program eligibility requirements to reduce the future number of homes requiring major repairs and support solutions for existing homeowners.
The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories implement homeownership programs with personcentered case management to navigate the complex northern housing environment, including mortgage financing, land tenure, and affordable home insurance.
The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories remove interdepartmental policy requirements creating barriers for the applicants to receive the rental accommodation allowance, including requirements to be on the public housing waitlist and the payment of utility arrears.
The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories allow rental allowance to be portable so people can choose where they want to live and so that housing meets their need.
The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories remove interdepartmental policy barriers for homeowners, including requirements to be on the public housing waiting list and the payment of utility arrears. This also includes removing the policy requiring applicants to sell their homes.
The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories develop a program to help homeowners access insurance and work with homeowners to keep costs low.
The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends that the Government of the Northwest Territories expand and develop the current home insurance benefit allowance to support future and existing homeowners.
The Standing Committee on Social Development recommends the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a response to the recommendations contained in this report within 120 days.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Kam Lake. Member for Kam Lake.
