Debates of November 30, 2021 (day 87)

Date
November
30
2021
Session
19th Assembly, 2nd Session
Day
87
Members Present
Hon. Diane Archie, Hon. Frederick Blake Jr., Hon. Paulie Chinna, Ms. Cleveland, Hon. Caroline Cochrane, Hon. Julie Green, Mr. Jacobson, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Martselos, Ms. Nokleby, Mr. O'Reilly, Ms. Semmler, Hon. R.J. Simpson, Mr. Rocky Simpson, Hon. Shane Thompson, Hon. Caroline Wawzonek, Ms. Weyallon-Armstrong
Topics
Statements

Oral Question 837-19(2): New Housing Initiatives in Tłı̨chǫ Region

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Yes, this is a question for the NWT Housing Corporation. I want to ask her why none of the ten units being built in Behchoko not in Behchoko but I meant to say Tlicho region is designated for homeownership program. Thank you.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We are on doing a distributing a federal delivery this year of 90 public housing units. Presently, right now, we are able to concentrate on homeownership. So the public housing units that are single and detached, they are up for sale. To date, we have had 104 applications that have been received, and we are working with those clients to educate them and to support them through the homeownership process. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Well, that was the question for yesterday. So so would the Minister commit some of those ten units to be designated for homeownership.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I'm not as generous as the Minister of MACA. Unfortunately, no, they won't be as they won't be up for sale. This is to replenish our public housing stock. We do have a deteriorated housing stock. We are almost reaching our 50 years.

But for the Tlicho region, it's a very unique Indigenous government and Indigenous group where we do hold partnerships with them. We are in the process right now working with the Tlicho housing working group in transferring ten of our market housing units and also supporting them through that process as well too. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Mahsi. Would the Minister commit to selling units at a price that reflects their commercial value and take into consideration the amount of rent already paid and future maintenance costs? Masi.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can provide the Member with further information on how our homeownership program is working and the eligibility and the criteria for them. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Monfwi.

Mahsi. There are many barriers to the subsidy programs for homeownership assistance with the NWT Housing Corporation. What types of debt forgiveness does the NWT Housing Corporation have?

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. With the debts that have been accumulated with our tenants within the Housing Corporation, we do have to work within the Financial Management Act as well too, on how we are going to work with those clients in trying to eliminate the debts that they do carry over. But this is a lengthy process, and we have been successful in working with clients throughout the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Speaker: MR. SPEAKER

Thank you, Minister. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife North.