Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Members of the Legislative Assembly. I am pleased to present the 1995-96 O and M contribution and budget for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

For 1995-96, we are asking the Legislative Assembly to approve an O and M contribution of $62.035 million.

As Members are aware, the federal government has not committed to any long term financial support for new social housing construction. However, the corporation still receives CMHC funding for the operation and maintenance of over 5,200 cost-shared rental units. This funding is provided under agreements with CMHC and will be in place for many more years. In addition to the funding provided by this government, it is estimated that during 1995-96, CMHC will provide $48.82 million in O and M funding.

In 1994, the corporation undertook an extensive consultation process, with communities. During the consultation process the impact of the federal funding cuts was explained and the corporation received many suggestions on how to improve the delivery of programs and services.

Improving the way the Housing Corporation operates and delivers its programs and services to clients and communities will be a priority in the 1995-96 fiscal year. The corporation is developing a strategic focus for the delivery of social housing into the future. This will also include options for restructuring the corporation, to improve its effectiveness and to promote a client and community focus.

A plan dealing with the management of the government's staff housing program will be tabled in the Assembly later in the session. The Housing Corporation is working with the departments of Personnel and Public Works and Services, and the Financial Management Board Secretariat, to develop this comprehensive plan.

The corporation is a member of the social envelope committee and works closely with government departments to improve the overall delivery of social programs. A long-term plan for the provision of elders' and seniors' housing, and the community wellness strategy are areas where the corporation is working in partnership with government departments.

Corporation staff will also continue working with local housing organizations who are interested and able to take on a greater role in delivering housing programs. New partnership agreements which provide greater flexibility in the delivery of housing programs and services have been developed in consultation with communities.

In November 1994, the Arviat housing association became the first LHO to sign a new partnership agreement. A second agreement with the Pond Inlet housing association was signed on February 1st. Agreements with Fort Providence and Fort McPherson are expected shortly.

Increasing community control and responsibility for housing programs is one way of ensuring that programs and services are provided in an effective manner.

To achieve this, communities have to feel comfortable taking on added responsibility and that means training. The corporation is developing a strategy that will lead to training and development to support housing staff working at the community level.

As well, the corporation has developed an assessment framework to identify the training and support needs of LHOs. An assessment of the Fort McPherson housing association has been completed. Other LHOs will be assessed over the next several months.

With limited funding for new housing construction, maintenance of our existing rental housing units is very important. The corporation is undertaking joint maintenance reviews in all local housing organizations. Community-specific action plans will be developed to improve maintenance operations.

Over the last year, the new down payment assistance program has been introduced. This program takes advantage of private market financing to build home ownership units. A forgivable down payment, up to a maximum of 25 per cent of the cost to build or purchase a new home, is provided by the corporation. The remainder of the cost of the house is financed between the client and a bank.

For the past few years, the corporation has been in a development mode. New home ownership programs and a new rent scale have been developed. It is now time for the corporation to review this process, to improve on what has been developed and to move toward greater community control of program delivery.

Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening remarks. I would be pleased to answer questions from committee Members. Thank you.

---Applause