Thank you, Mr. Speaker. On March 4th the House passed a motion requesting
that the government once again place the Public Housing Rental Subsidy Program under the control of the local housing organizations. I supported that motion and I am hoping that the departments hear our calls and act quickly to rectify this avoidable burden on our communities
Subsequent to our action, the Yellowknives Dene First Nation passed a band council resolution on March 9th adding weight that will hopefully help
expedite the government’s response to this issue. The Yellowknives Dene Band Council resolution tabled in the House yesterday reads: Whereas, the current delivery of the GNWT Education, Culture and Employment Public Housing Rent Subsidy Program creates administrative problems for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation housing division; And whereas, the requirement of travelling to Yellowknife every month to assess rents under this PHRS Program places a burden on the Yellowknives Dene First Nation members; And whereas, the involvement of ECE has weakened the relationship between the Yellowknives Dene First Nation housing division and tenants; And whereas, rent assessments were more timely and accurate when they were performed by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation housing division; Therefore, be it resolved that ECE revert to the old system where the Yellowknives Dene First Nation local housing authority assesses the band member’s monthly income to determine rent.
Mr. Speaker, forcing people to travel from Dettah and Ndilo to downtown Yellowknife to deal with their monthly housing bills is wasting people’s time and energy. Furthermore, it is forcing people who are not on income support to visit the income support office, which can be uncomfortable and cause further undue stress. It is hardly the one-stop shopping approach that the government refers to and that these communities used to enjoy for the housing needs.
Mr. Speaker, let’s show our people that we have heard them and implement the obvious solution to this problem as soon as possible. Mahsi.