Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is undertaking a review and renewal exercise to ensure that the Housing Corporation's efforts are effective and producing the desired outcome for Northwest Territories communities and residents.
Across the world, affordable housing is a significant issue. We face the same in the north, with the added complications of severe northern climate, real pressures on both supply and labor, and working across extraordinary remote and vast lands.
Mr. Speaker, the 19th Legislative Assembly made safe and affordable housing a priority. On March 4th, 2021, a motion was passed calling for a change in the mandate of the NWT Housing Corporation. A large number of the reports and consultations have been conducted within the last five years, including one of the most extensive surveys ever conducted by the Government of the Northwest Territories with the public. This high level of interest and scrutiny will continue through forums like the Northwest Territories Council of Leaders Officials Housing Working Group.
The NWT Housing Corporation is rethinking its purpose. People need to be at the center of every housing perspective; programs that are no longer practical or do not really serve Northerners need to change; client service needs to be improved; the housing aspirations of Indigenous governments needs to be better supported; our relationships deepened with existing partners as well as inviting more in to become partners.
Mr. Speaker, we have heard a lot in recent years about the housing situation, and we understand the time for further studies is over. Now is the time to implement solutions.
As we move forward, the NWT Housing Corporation is committed to ensuring Northerners are kept informed. Our social media, our website and, as needed, information to the local housing offices or in print and radio will always be refreshed to keep Northerners aware of the ways the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is serving Northerners better. Some actions will be quick. In fact, some have already happened.
Just this year, as a result of significant engagement with the federal government, we are partnering in an unprecedented level of housing activity. Over the next two years, a record number of homes will be built throughout the Northwest Territories.
Nearly 200 people who were leasing their property have now had their land in fee simple title; in other words, they've become property owners. 160 public housing units are scheduled for major renovations and upgrades in 2021-2022. Of these 160 units, 38 projects are completed, and contracts have been awarded on further 95 projects.
These is just a few of these actions already underway that will make a very real, tangible difference to the lives of Northerners. We need housing. Additionally, the Housing Corporation continues to make progress on community housing plans. These plans provide communities, and their stakeholders, the tools to plan and direct the future of housing in their communities. To date, the Housing Corporation has engaged with 23 communities on their community housing plans.
New actions will be coming and will not stop until we have made clear our progress based on our four pillars of renewal:
Rethinking our purpose;
Strengthening our staff;
Revising our programs; and
Deepening and growing our partnerships
We are excited to see how this renewal process with the result in making life better for the people throughout the North, and I hope you will be excited too. At the appropriate time today, I will be tabling the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation Renewal Strategy. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
