Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Since we are on the topic of elder abuse, it's a good time to read my Member's statement to talk about some of the housing issues that have come to my attention lately.
Mr. Speaker, about six months ago, the Deninu Kue Seniors' Society, which represents the interest of nearly 100 seniors in Deninu Kue, all of an average age of about 68 years old, made a recommendation to the Housing Corporation to build a six-plex to house seniors in independent living somewhere near the seniors complex. Mr. Speaker, the regional office came back outlining what the Housing Corporation requires in order to carry this initiative forward such as looking for a suitable location, researching land ownership, negotiating land owners to acquire property and gathering written support from various local government organizations in order for them to follow up on this initiative.
The Deninu Kue Seniors' Society did follow up with the Housing Corporation's request from the regional office and eventually the property was purchased by the Housing Corporation and all indications pointed towards the next step of moving forward on this project by putting out a tender for the construction of a seniors' six-plex and this was considered great news for the hard work of the Deninu Kue Seniors' Society.
Just recently, Mr. Speaker, the Deninu Kue Seniors' Society has been informed that the Housing Corporation is again questioning the feasibility of a seniors six-plex and is wondering if the units will be occupied by seniors and would like the Deninu Kue Seniors' Society to seek further support from the local government organizations, something they have already completed. They have assured the Housing Corp that they do have seniors who would be willing to move in as soon as construction is completed. Understandably the reluctance of the Deninu Kue Seniors' Society to go out and seek the same support from local government organizations has created a lot of frustration amongst our elders and is viewed as simply a stalling tactic by the Housing Corp to follow up on their previous commitment. The Deninu Kue Seniors' Society would like to know why.
Later today, Mr. Speaker, I will be asking the Minister of the Housing Corp, at the appropriate time, why the Housing Corp continues to put up barriers and hoops when things are moving along in what seemingly seems to be a cooperative, positive and collaborative manner. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause