Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I rise before the Members of this Assembly today to report on the achievements made by the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation over the term of this Legislative Assembly. The corporation's achievements over the past four years include new initiatives designed to tackle specific housing issues, improved programs and services, and a continuing commitment to improving housing conditions for the residents of the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, the corporation developed the affordable housing strategy in 2001 to address specific housing issues in the Northwest Territories and in response to growing concerns over the availability and affordability of housing. This strategy resulted in the development and construction of approximately 650 housing units over a four-year period. Under the affordable housing strategy, new public housing units were constructed to house seniors and singles. As well, the independent homeownership program and the expanded down-payment assistant program allowed for the construction of new private homes. Through its support of the private housing industry, the affordable housing strategy also facilitated the construction...