Yes, I do, Mr. Chair. I am pleased to present the 2015-16 Main Estimates for the NWT Housing Corporation. The main estimates propose a budget of $143.127 million, an increase of one percent from the 2014-15 Main Estimates. The budget includes a contribution of $85.368 million from the GNWT for 2015-16.
As Members are aware, one of the five priorities identified by the 17th Legislative Assembly is to
address housing needs. The approach of the NWT Housing Corporation recognizes that there are significant differences in housing between our market and non-market communities and there are needs along the entire housing continuum, from homelessness to homeownership.
The activities reflected in the 2015-16 Main Estimates for the NWT Housing Corporation build on the work we have done over the first three years of the 17th Assembly and some of the highlights
include: • In 2015-16 we will continue to make extensive
investments in our infrastructure. Overall, we expect to spend $35.9 million on capital projects. Highlights include:
o
Major retrofits will be completed on 232
existing units. This investment will mean that approximately 700 NWTHC units will have received a retrofit during the 17th Assembly.
o
In 2015-16 the planned seniors independent
living complexes in Fort Good Hope and Whati will be constructed. Work on the seniors facilities in Aklavik, Fort McPherson and Fort Liard was started in 2014-15.
o
An additional 36 market rental units will be
added as part of the overall initiative to add 100 market rentals in smaller communities to support service delivery.
o
Energy investments in 2015-16 are
expected to total $3.4 million, including photovoltaic solar systems for units in Whati, Fort Providence, Fort Simpson, Fort Good Hope, Norman Wells and Lutselk’e.
• In 2015-16 we will continue to strengthen our
relationship with our local housing organizations through the implementation of the initiative to improve community housing services. We plan to spend $54.4 million in 2015-16 on community housing services.
o
Specifically, this initiative has changed the
roles and responsibilities of the LHOs and the NWTHC. It was implemented on April 1, 2014, and we continue to work with our partners to improve service delivery. These overall improvements are reflected in our public housing rent collection, which reached 97 percent for 2013-14.
o
As part of the initiative, we are opening new
LHO offices in Fort Liard, Whati and Gameti which will improve services and add local jobs.
o
Overall, these main estimates include
funding for 128 positions in LHOs. In addition to this, we are increasing the number of apprentices supported through the LHOs from 10 to 15.
o
In 2015-16 we will continue to work in
partnership with low- and modest-income homeowners to support repairs and preventative maintenance and to help residents that need some additional support to purchase a home. We plan to spend $7 million on homeownership programs in 2015-16.
o
There have been a number of changes we
have made in recent years to improve our homeownership programs.
o
During the current fiscal year we are
providing supports to about 350 low- and modest-income homeowners for repairs and preventative maintenance.
o
In 2015-16 we will introduce CARE -
Mobility as part of our major repair program. CARE - Mobility will target support for seniors and other residents that require modifications to their home to address mobility and other issues related to the disability of a household member.
• In 2015-16 we will continue to strengthen our
programming related to homelessness. As Members know, the NWTHC activities are just part of the overall support as homelessness is addressed through the activities of a number of departments within the GNWT.
o
For the NWTHC, these main estimates
result in increasing programming related to addressing homelessness from $325,000 at the start of the 17th Assembly to $855,000
for 2015-16.
o
Current programs support direct assistance
to homeless persons or persons at risk of becoming homeless, community-based initiatives that address homelessness, capital improvements to existing shelters, and the operation of four transition houses in smaller NWT communities.
o
In 2015-16 the NWTHC will add $150,000 to
support implementation of a Housing First approach in Yellowknife. This work will be coordinated with the GNWT Integrated Case Management Project and the work being done by the Yellowknife Community Advisory Board on homelessness.
Finally, I would again like to thank Members for their advice and support as the NWT Housing Corporation has introduced considerable changes over the past few years, and I look forward to continuing to work with Members as we work towards the goal of all NWT residents having access to affordable, adequate and suitable housing.
That concludes my opening remarks. At this time I would be pleased to answer any questions the committee may have.