Thank you, Mr. Chairman. The committee did take a look at trying to find ways to increase the amount of housing available to people. According to the figures provided to the committee, 1,135 G.N.W.T. households are currently living in social housing. If they can be moved out of social housing into their own accommodation, these units will be available for families in core housing need.
The committee believes that a viable alternative for 1993-94 would be to invest up to $20 million of G.N.W.T. money reallocated from less critical projects or programs, combined with bank financing, to build one 50 unit apartment complex in one community in each of the regions. The goal would be to create 250 apartment units for private accommodation and free up 250 public housing units.
In the future these apartment buildings could be sold off to local developers if a reasonable market exists, and the proceeds from the sale reinvested.
This approach offers some economies of scale. For example, one design may be used, and a quantity discount on materials may be obtained. Local companies and labour should be used as much as possible to ensure that the direct economic benefits of these projects remain in the north. The committee believes, and I believe, that funding can be found from within the existing resources.