Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in 2018, Housing NWT had conducted a pilot project to help provide better wraparound supports for tenants living in public housing. That pilot project was conducted in Behchoko, and it created a new position within housing titled "housing stability worker" who's job was to work with housing tenants to support them in various ways to keep their housing and stabilize their living situation.
Mr. Speaker, according to the NWT Housing Corporation's annual report for 2019, 2022, it's the job of the housing stability worker to work with vulnerable tenants to develop housing plans that addresses aspects of everyday life such as financial literacy, housing arrears, employment, health and wellness, and food security. The position was created as a navigator that did home visits to help residents enhance their knowledge of existing government supports and to address a range of social issues that affects housing instability.
Mr. Speaker, sometimes this government's pilots are very great ideas but then they are shortlived. And I think positions like this, and this pilot project, was a very interesting concept, and I believe it should be continued and expanded upon to other regions and communities, including my own riding of Inuvik. I know that this position and the work that they do would be well suited and welcomed in Inuvik. However it appears that this pilot project may be over now since it was only scheduled to be active for two years in Behchoko.
Mr. Speaker, it is innovative programs and services such as that of the housing stability worker that needs to be conducted on a broader basis within the Northwest Territories because all communities and regions face similar social issues. So therefore they would all benefit from this type of position being offered across the board in all regions. And I will have questions for the Minister of Housing NWT at the appropriate time.
And, Mr. Speaker, because I have 30 seconds left, I would just like to congratulate all of the Inuvik graduates that are going to be graduating this Saturday and to all the postsecondary graduates that are finishing college and to Chelsea Jerome who is just graduating from her nursing degree program, and it's very exciting to have another Inuvialuit nurse come in the region. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes. Members' statements. Member for Tu NedheWiilideh.
