Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the past few days, there have been a number of concerns raised by MLAs about the implementation of the rent scale. I would like to make a statement today about the rent scale implementation and to assure Members that we are hearing their concerns, and acting on them as we become aware of them.
The implementation of the new rent scale is a very big job. There are approximately 5,600 tenant households in 50 communities across the NWT whose rents have to be assessed. The old rent scale had not been updated since 1983 and needed to be changed. CMHC, our federal funding partner, advised us that change was needed or they were going to cut almost $6 million annually from our funding. The new rent scale received the broadest consultation of any Housing Corporation or government policy. It was reviewed with community groups, housing associations and authorities, mayors, MLAs and was discussed with the Special Committee on Social Housing made up of Members of this Assembly.
Notices of the change to the rent scale have gone out, as required under the Residential Tenancies Act, one month prior to implementation. Members of this Assembly have stated that some constituents are having trouble understanding the notice. There seems to be a difference of opinion on the translation of the document. Where it has been determined that a tenant has not understood the notice because of translation problems, a further one month's notice will be allowed.
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The tenant will receive counselling in the language they prefer so they fully understand the rent scale changes. We anticipated that all tenants would have to be individually counselled. This is why we have put notices in the newspapers, on TV and on the radio. To date, approximately 50 per cent of the 5,600 households have been counselled and this number is increasing rapidly. Staff from the local housing organizations have reported that tenants are coming in for counselling and to have their new rents assessed. Our local housing authority staff have been asked to make a special effort to ensure that Inuktitut speakers fully understand the new rent scale.
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