Mr. Speaker, I too will be supporting the motion. I know from talking to local housing
authorities the frustrations they’re facing just trying to meet the required collection, which was, in the past, 90 per cent of all…. Most of these LHOs were able to collect 90 per cent of their rental revenues, but because of the income switch it’s basically that they’re having problems with tenants, Income Support, trying to get the documentation in place, trying to ensure that they’re able to meet their 90 per cent.
In regard to statistics I saw just last week, the majority of our LHOs are now, in some cases, well below 50 per cent of their collection rate. I think that in light of the Auditor General’s report, which clearly identifies that we have to do a better job by way of collections…. Also, we have to do a better job of delivering programs and services. A lot of that is directly related to the decisions made to basically consolidate the income programs in one area and take $30 million out of the Housing Corporation. That $30 million was there to pay for the cost of social housing in the Northwest Territories. So all we did was transfer $30 million to EC&E, pay them a large administration fee, hire 13 people, and still we can’t get it right.
As a government we do have a responsibility to listen to what our constituents are saying and, more importantly, I believe everyone who ran in the last general election heard it loud and clear, going door to door and talking to our tenants and also talking to the residents of our communities.
Mr. Speaker, I think it’s important that we do listen. Yes, let’s admit we made a mistake. Let’s get it back on track and allow housing to be managed through the housing authorities so people have a one-stop way of dealing with their housing needs, their assessment needs and also to be able to pay their rent all in one location.
Mr. Speaker, it’s important that we as government sometimes admit we make mistakes. I’ll admit it here in the House, as the previous Minister of Housing, for making that mistake. I heard it loud and clear during my tour through the communities, especially in Holman Island, where the whole community was out, and basically this issue was top and centre on everyone’s mind in regard to how it affected every employer in the community, every resident in the community and also the number of people that had to look at alternative housing.
A lot of people are living worse off now than they were before this policy decision was made, because they are living in worse-off housing conditions and having to move out of social housing because they just can’t afford to pay the rent, or they can’t afford to get the income support cheque in time, in which case they’re classified at an economic rate where you’re having to pay that rate until you try to get your paperwork in order.
Mr. Speaker, I will be supporting the motion.