Mr. Speaker, I have Return to Written Question 28-16(2) asked by Ms. Bisaro on June 17, 2008, regarding the Framework for GNWT Response to Homelessness.
As described in the Homelessness Framework, the GNWT plans and develops initiatives that support the housing continuum for homeless individuals. The GNWT provides $1,395,628 annually to existing emergency and transitional housing options in the Northwest Territories (NWT). In addition, the GNWT has committed to provide funding for Bailey House and the Small Community Homelessness Fund (SCHF).
To date, the leading factors in directing homelessness initiatives are community input and community capacity. The SCHF provides funding to support the creation of emergency or transitional housing options for communities outside of Yellowknife. The annual budget for this fund is $200,000. In 2007–08, the communities of Fort Providence, Wrigley and Hay River Reserve created additional emergency and transitional housing units.
In Yellowknife the GNWT is supporting the planning efforts of the Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition (YHC). Since the inception of the Homelessness Framework, funds have been dedicated to the construction and operation of Bailey House, a transitional home for men. The GNWT contributed $1,748,000 to the construction of Bailey House and committed $200,000 annually for ongoing operational expenses. The YHC continues to plan for additional housing options, including transitional housing for women. Once the YHC submits a request, the GNWT will then determine if funding is available for additional projects.
In 2006–07 the funds for the NWT Housing Survey were redirected to the creation of the SCHF. This
decision was based on an MLA request to the former Minister of Health and Social Services. In response to community need, the funds were invested in programming as opposed to research.
A Territorial Homelessness Assistance Fund committee was established to review and provide funding allocations for the Emergency Financial Assistance Fund and the Emergency Travel Assistance Fund. The committee is made up of representatives from the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, Department of Health and Social Services, and sheltering agencies. The committee approved 21 assistance applications in 2007–08 and has approved 14 applications to date for this fiscal year.
To improve coordination on homelessness initiatives within the GNWT, an interdepartmental committee has been established. This committee meets on a monthly basis and is responsible for jointly supporting homelessness initiatives, administering the SCHF, advising and preparing materials for the Minster responsible for Homelessness, responding to NWT and publicly raised issues, communicating with service providers, increasing capacity, and coordinating funding information to service providers. The efforts of this committee have greatly benefited the joint knowledge of departments on the overall response and the momentum of projects related to homelessness.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.