Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, public housing rent scale has been an issue that's been on the books since the 13th Assembly and was carried over to the 14th Assembly. It's a very complicated one and I have spoken many times on this issue regarding my concerns over the harmonization policy. I have taken an opportunity to look at other jurisdictions and I was quite impressed with the Government of Nunavut. The Minister has taken the approach there that they have to find an appropriate solution to reflect their unique circumstances. I wanted today, for the record, to read out some of the improvements that are going to be implemented by the Government of Nunavut to deal with public housing.
One of the changes is to change their monthly assessment to yearly household income assessments. This allows tenants an adequate time to adjust their budget for rent impacts due to wage increases. The tenants are also allowed to continue to request rent reductions if their income falls during the course of the year. That income will also be assessed on net household income, not the current practice of gross income.
Income support clients will no longer be assessed a flat rate of $32. They will be assessed using the same formula as all other tenants. This change is in cooperation with the Department of Education, income support division, to ensure the method of assessment will not adversely affect other benefits income support clients receive.
Minimum and maximum rent has been modified to reflect community costs. They also allow for a deduction from the base rent to be introduced for the condition of the unit, for overcrowding and community-specific cost of living.
The seniors, the students and youth have been identified as having special needs and there will be a cap on the income assessment for youth up to the age of 25 years old who are not living in their own unit. This maximum assessment allows youth to contribute to the household rent while allowing them to save on their wages.
This change also addresses the disincentive to work issue that is targeted to seasonal employment as youth begin to participate in the workforce. Mr. Speaker, the students will continue to live rent free while at full-time attendance at school and the seniors in core need will also continue to live rent free.
Mr. Speaker, we also must work together to find an appropriate solution that meets our unique northern and Aboriginal circumstances of the Northwest Territories when it comes to housing our own residents. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.