In the Legislative Assembly on September 9th, 1999. See this topic in context.

Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is for the Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation. To follow up on his very enlightening report on the MDAPP evaluation which I think they spent close to $6 million to help people buy houses without any means test or anything placed on the people who are able to purchase houses, whether they made a million dollars a year or $50,000. Mr. Speaker, several of my constituents have come forward with dilapidated houses, their sidings falling off, windows in disrepair, that type of thing. What they are wondering is if there are any repair programs in the Housing Corporation's current programs that they are eligible for here in Yellowknife. Thank you.

Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

The Minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, Mr. Roland.

Return To Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are a number of programs that are available through the Housing Corporation for homeowners. The level of service or assistance they were to receive all depends on the income they would have. The biggest program we have is through the EDAP program, there is the Independent Housing Program, there is also a seniors' program and we do have, within the EDAP system, programs where people can get monies to do some repairs to their existing homes. But again, all those programs are based on the amount of income that would be received in the households. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Return To Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Item 6: Oral Questions

September 8th, 1999

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Supplementary To Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The Minister's report had indicated that the MDAPP had put in $5.6 million into their program, and there was no means test whatsoever. What I am wondering is, could the Minister increase the amount of money that is in that repair program so that people who have bought their houses on their own, with their own money, can repair their houses. Because many of them are now in very dire straits. I am wondering, could the Minister increase the repair program to maybe only half of what they put into the MDAPP, maybe only $2 million, $2.5 million?

Supplementary To Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Item 6: Oral Questions

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The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 50

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe that is an issue that can be dealt with in the next business planning process, that the Housing Corporation can look at trying to increase those levels of support we provide at present Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 50

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Supplementary, Mr. Erasmus.

Supplementary To Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Item 6: Oral Questions

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Roy Erasmus Yellowknife North

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Considering the fact that there was no means test put in place for being eligible for the MDAPP, would the Minister also look at increasing the maximum amount of yearly family income before they are regarded as ineligible for accessing this program? Thank you.

Supplementary To Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 50

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Mr. Roland.

Further Return To Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 50

Floyd Roland

Floyd Roland Inuvik

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The department, on a regular basis, looks at its programs to see if the standards being set are too extreme or not. As I said earlier, we will be going through a business planning process and can be looking at those things. We have to keep in mind one of the factors of increasing our limits would place more demand on already shrinking resources within the Housing Corporation. A lot of the MDAPP funding that was used was through supplementary appropriation put through this House. We did use some of our own resources and thankfully, we are able to cover the rest of that from within because of some of the planning that was done from within the department. So all of this other information on trying to change the programs can be reviewed through the business planning processing and dealing with committees. As well, we will be looking at what we can reasonably provide residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Further Return To Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Question 24-13(8): Home Repair Program Access
Item 6: Oral Questions

Page 50

The Speaker Samuel Gargan

Oral questions. Mr. Henry.