Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The elderly homeowners do not have an advocate that they are aware of. Due to this problem, their homes are neglected until it becomes a major problem and too costly to repair. My question to the Minister responsible for Housing NWT is can the Minister provide an annual housing inspection for the elders so that they can take action before it becomes a financial burden on the elders? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member from Mackenzie Delta. Minister responsible for Housing NWT.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, Housing NWT has many programs in place to help homeowners with any type of repairs they require in their homes provided they fit the core need income threshold and the policy around these repair and maintenance programs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The local housing authority conducts annual inspections on public housing units to cut down on major costs. Can the Minister and/or the department direct local housing authorities to have their maintenance staff conduct annual inspections on these few elders' homes within their respective communities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Housing NWT can book a trip into Tsiigehtchic, and other communities in the near future, to meet with homeowners interested in applying for the program or requiring program assistance. We will advertise well ahead of time and also communicate with the MLA. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister consider contracting an Indigenous government or company to conduct these inspections? This is just to bring comfort to the elders. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We recently signed the collaborative agreement with the Gwich'in Tribal Council, with Housing NWT. So this might be an opportunity to work with them and work with the elders in the communities for homeownership repair. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister responsible for Housing NWT. Final supplementary. Member from Mackenzie Delta.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Thank you to the Minister. I am aware of the agreement. Can the Minister provide programs that these elders are eligible for and provide those directly to the homeowners by mail? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have a number of programs with Housing NWT to encourage elders to age in place, including our preventative maintenance program, our repairs program, our mobility program, our seniors’ program specific to seniors, and we also have an emergency repairs program. We can provide this information to the MLA and all the MLAs. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister responsible for Housing NWT. Oral questions. Member from the Deh Cho.
