Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, at this time, I would like to provide an update to all Members of this House on recent initiatives launched by the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation that help to solve seniors' housing problems within the Northwest Territories.

Results from the 2000 Housing Needs Survey show that 32 percent of seniors are in core need, compared to 20 percent for the rest of the population. Demographics indicate that the seniors' population will increase over the next several years. In response to these trends and concerns raised by some communities, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, in consultation with those communities, has developed a Seniors' Housing Strategy. This strategy covers a four-year period up to and including the 2003-04 fiscal year. During this period, we plan to construct 97 public housing units targeted specifically to seniors.

Mr. Speaker, the strategy was developed based on community input on the following criteria:

• • Community request;
• • Seniors' needs;
• • Over-housed seniors living in public housing while families remain on waiting lists;
• • Lack of public housing units targeted to seniors;
• • Lack of proper seniors' housing; and,
• • Culturally unacceptable seniors' housing that can be converted to singles accommodations.

On the basis of these factors, units were allocated where they were needed most. Thirty-seven units will be constructed this year, 12 in the following year, and 28 and 20 in years three and four respectively. The 37 units that are being finalized now are spread out over six communities. The six communities are Detah-Ndilo, Fort Good Hope, Paulatuk, Rae-Edzo, Tsiigehtchic and Tulita. Future years will see construction of units in Tuktoyaktuk, Hay River, Inuvik, Fort Smith and Yellowknife. The Housing Corporation is also discussing the provision of seniors housing with communities other than the ones mentioned here. These allocations will likely occur after 2003-04. I would also like to add that the Housing Corporation will take community specific, culturally sensitive issues into consideration when designing these seniors housing projects.

Other recent initiatives that we are launching to provide housing support to seniors include the Elders on the Land Initiative and the Seniors and/or Disabled Preventative Maintenance Initiative.

The Elders on the Land Initiative will provide financial support to assist seniors in core housing need, who live on the land on a full-time basis, so they have the opportunity to repair or replace their unit with a modest, simply constructed shelter. This initiative not only allows elders to maintain an independent traditional lifestyle, it will make their homes safer and healthier to live in. The assistance is limited to $30,000 plus freight per household and is in the form of a forgivable loan over a five-year period.

Mr. Speaker, another initiative developed to assist seniors, the Seniors and/or Disabled Preventative Maintenance Initiative, provides assistance to those who own and occupy their own homes and who require servicing and maintenance repairs to the homes to keep equipment and systems in a good state of repair. This program is aimed at those who cannot afford the cost of routine maintenance checks, to encourage low-income seniors to continue living in their own homes.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to consulting with the communities, I have also discussed these problems with my colleague, the Honourable Jane Groenewegen, Minister responsible for Health and Social Services and Minister responsible for Seniors, to ensure we received her valuable input. I firmly believe that we have moved as rapidly as possible to address the issues and that full implementation of these initiatives will assist in reducing the number of seniors in core need of housing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.