This is page numbers 495 - 525 of the Hansard for the 12th Assembly, 3rd Session. The original version can be accessed on the Legislative Assembly's website or by contacting the Legislative Assembly Library. The word of the day was housing.

Topics

Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Mr. Speaker, I have a question for the Minister of the NWT Housing Corporation. With the creation of the Government of the Northwest Territories housing strategy and further plans to transfer GNWT housing responsibility to the NWT Housing Corporation, I would like to know if this strategy differs from the public housing program.

Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Morin.

Return To Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It differs from the public housing program which is in existence at the moment. We are preparing papers for Cabinet approval to bring all of the housing programs in line, to be equal. Thank you.

Return To Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Return To Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When this takes place, I would like to know which program will prevail?

Return To Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Morin.

Return To Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Mr. Speaker, can I get clarification on the question?

Return To Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Arngna'naaq, can you please restate your question?

Supplementary To Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. When the GNWT housing program is transferred to the NWT Housing Corporation, and the corporation is trying to bring these two programs together, I am wondering which one of these programs would prevail?

Supplementary To Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. They will be separate programs. Some units will always be used for staff housing. The main reason for the NWT Housing Corporation administering the staff housing is to make better use out of our houses in the communities. For example, you can have a staff house sitting empty in a community when you need room for public housing and you cannot use it. This way will make the unit available. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary, Mr. Arngna'naaq.

Supplementary To Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

Silas Arngna'naaq Kivallivik

Mr. Speaker, people who are living in public housing units are paying up to 25 per cent of their gross income at the present time. The housing strategy from the Department of Personnel shows that tenants will pay no more than 30 per cent of their gross household income. I am wondering how this will affect those who are in public housing units. Will they also start to pay 30 per cent of their household income? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Supplementary To Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Morin.

Further Return To Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

Don Morin Tu Nedhe

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The national standard is no more than 30 per cent. The NWT Housing Corporation uses this now and they will continue to use it. Thank you.

Further Return To Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Question 279-12(3): Difference Between GNWT Housing Strategy And Public Housing Program
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Item 6, oral questions. Mr. Antoine.

Question 280-12(3): Mortgage Financing For Housing
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a question for the Minister of Personnel with regard to mortgage availability for this new strategy. We all understand the government no longer wants to be a landlord and with disposing of their rental units they will then no longer be faced with upkeep costs. I, as many Members of this House, have pointed out we have no trouble with this principle. Can the government assure tenants, who want to purchase the government housing they are presently renting, that all units will be in a condition which will be assessed as acceptable for mortgage financing? Mahsi.

Question 280-12(3): Mortgage Financing For Housing
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Kakfwi.

Return To Question 280-12(3): Mortgage Financing For Housing
Question 280-12(3): Mortgage Financing For Housing
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 510

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, we have indicated where tenants are unable to get mortgages from the bank we would look at assisting them, either by financing it ourselves or by looking at lease to purchase arrangements. Many tenants will not have the down payment necessary to get into a normal mortgage arrangement with the bank. If a unit is assessed at a value of $50,000, it will be decided between the tenant and the government whether

the unit will be sold as is, or if it will be brought up to standard and then purchased. These will be dealt with by the tenant and ourselves as a government. As a government, if we are faced with putting a new roof on a unit, and it is our assessment this will cost too much, we may not do it. We would then be faced with not repairing the unit and letting it go, and we would negotiate an arrangement this way.

Return To Question 280-12(3): Mortgage Financing For Housing
Question 280-12(3): Mortgage Financing For Housing
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 511

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Supplementary To Question 280-12(3): Mortgage Financing For Housing
Question 280-12(3): Mortgage Financing For Housing
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 511

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Does the Minister have an estimate of what it will cost to bring all of the units in question up to standard?

Supplementary To Question 280-12(3): Mortgage Financing For Housing
Question 280-12(3): Mortgage Financing For Housing
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 511

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Mr. Kakfwi.

Further Return To Question 280-12(3): Mortgage Financing For Housing
Question 280-12(3): Mortgage Financing For Housing
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 511

Stephen Kakfwi

Stephen Kakfwi Sahtu

Mr. Speaker, we have not begun this work. We will begin once the tenants contact DPW and Personnel with a view of undertaking the process.

Further Return To Question 280-12(3): Mortgage Financing For Housing
Question 280-12(3): Mortgage Financing For Housing
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 511

The Speaker Michael Ballantyne

Supplementary, Mr. Antoine.

Supplementary To Question 280-12(3): Mortgage Financing For Housing
Question 280-12(3): Mortgage Financing For Housing
Item 5: Oral Questions

Page 511

Jim Antoine Nahendeh

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Can the Minister indicate to the House when this work will begin? I am asking this because we are talking about costs and much interest from the communities. I would appreciate if you could indicate, to the House today, when this work will begin. Thank you.