Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, early in the life of the 14th Legislative Assembly, Members developed the vision statement, Towards a Better Tomorrow. One of the shorter term goals that this Assembly set out as one of the key goals in the document is housing that is adequate, affordable and suitable.
Members of the Standing Committee on Accountability and Oversight tabled a copy of our progress report on plans and priorities when we stated that we would continue to pursue adequate housing for Northerners. This report is intended to bring forth some discussion points and to serve as a reminder that we have not yet achieved our objective of suitable, adequate and affordable housing.
Housing problems are typically sorted into three categories: suitability, adequacy and affordability. The definitions are nationally set and are used by the Government of the Northwest Territories in assessing housing problems. Suitability refers to the problem of overcrowding, or whether a household has enough bedrooms appropriate for the number of people. Adequacy refers to the physical condition of a dwelling, or whether a household has the basic facilities to provide a safe and healthy environment. Affordability problems exist when a household pays an excessive amount for shelter. A household has an affordability problem if more than 30 percent of the household income is paid to shelter costs.
Mr. Speaker, it is not unusual to see adverse social and health impacts when any or all of these conditions are present in our communities. Overcrowding, lack of basic facilities such as hot and cold running water and indoor toilets can contribute to illness and lead to poor achievements.
If a household is paying more than 30 percent of income on shelter costs, we know that families need to cut back on other necessities, such as healthy food and necessary clothing. In addition to overcrowding because of a lack of affordable housing, larger communities are seeing a growing problem of homelessness.
Lack of affordable rental accommodation in many of our communities, especially those experiencing economic growth, is creating an additional problem in an employer's ability to staff positions. Some of these positions, such as health workers and teachers, provide basic and essential services to residents, and the inability to staff positions because there is no suitable accommodation is an issue of concern to Members.
Mr. Speaker, the 2000 Northwest Territories Housing Needs Survey was completed by the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation in partnership with the Northwest Territories Bureau of Statistics, local housing organizations and communities, and was tabled by the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
The Minister's message states that the survey shows that there are 2,726 households in need in the Northwest Territories, or one out of every five households. The Minister goes on to say that not all communities have the same types of housing problems and need. I quote:
In some communities the need is for renovation and repairs to existing homes rather than for new homes. In larger centres such as Yellowknife, Inuvik and Hay River, residents face problems of affordability rather than overcrowding or condition of the home.
That is from page 2 in the Minister's message.
Mr. Speaker, household size suggests that crowding issues are improving. In 1981, approximately 13.9 percent of households contained six or more residents compared to 7.8 percent of dwellings with six or more residents at the time of the 2000 NWT Housing Needs Survey. The source is the Bureau of Statistics, 2001 socio-economic scan.
However, Mr. Speaker, there is still a need to improve the conditions of the housing units in the smaller communities and to have affordable housing available, particularly in the larger centres.
The harmonization project was initiated to clear up the differences in the way income and need were assessed by the public housing and income support programs. It was intended to ensure that eligibility for government support is consistent, fair and equitable and that government resources go to the people with the greatest need.
Mr. Speaker, Members have raised questions related to the implementation of harmonized assessments and consequential adjustments to the current rent structure.
The committee welcomes the news that Canada and the Northwest Territories signed an affordable housing agreement earlier this month. The agreement is aimed at helping to increase the supply of affordable housing. According to the joint press release issued on February 5, 2002, the $7.5 million in new federal funding to be provided over a four-year period under this agreement will create an independent housing program that will enable low income families to access modest housing through home ownership and assisted rental housing, which will provide rent geared-to-income housing for low income seniors and singles.
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance has also highlighted this agreement in the 2002-2003 Budget Address. In addition, he announced that the Government of the Northwest Territories intends to help the private sector to respond to the demand for affordable rental accommodation in non-tax-based communities. Details as to how this will be achieved have not yet been made public, and members of our committee look forward to hearing more on this item.