Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is not only in Tlicho community but in other Indigenous communities as well. But in all four communities, Mr. Speaker, there are dozens of housing units that some families have lived in for decades. Many people consider these houses their forever homes and, in most cases, families have every intention to pass on these existing homes to younger family to younger family members to ensure they are housed into the future. However, Mr. Speaker, some families have told me that it came as a surprise to them when they discovered that they are not actually the owners of these homes this is very true in many of the communities but rather only renters to homes that are owned and maintained by Housing NWT. There are other families who know they are renters and have been longtime renters but they would like to become homeowners to the home they live in.
Moreover, Mr. Speaker, I have heard not only from the Tlicho region, but from all regions, that Indigenous governments and organizations are ready and willing to step up and help repair many of these old housing units in our communities. The only thing is that these organizations do not wish to do this work unless the ownership of these homes are transferred away from Housing NWT. Yet, Mr. Speaker, it seems for some reason that Housing NWT is either resistant or hesitant, or both, in letting these housing units go. As I understand it, Housing NWT does not want to go down this route because they are scared of losing additional funding in operations and maintenance if they reduce their overall number of housing assets.
Well, Mr. Speaker, that is an irrational and unreasonable fear for Housing NWT to have, and that it is also counter to their own strategy of increasing capacity and partnership with Indigenous government.
So which is it? Is Housing NWT going to hoard over all their aging housing units forever and continue charging the maximum rent can I seek unanimous consent to continue with my statement. Thank you.
Unanimous consent granted
So is Housing NWT going to hoard over all their aging housing units forever and continue charging the maximum rent at prices that are not even worth the homes they are living in, or are they going to listen to their own words and disperse their old housing units to increase homeownership in the communities?
Mr. Speaker, it is very important that the Government of the Northwest Territories work together with the Tlicho government and other Indigenous government and the federal government to sort this issue out. We need action on this sooner rather than later. I will have questions for the Minister of Housing. Thank you.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Members' statements. Member for Yellowknife North.
