Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
● A new repair and renovation program is ready for implementation for seniors to support them to age in place. Repairs and renovation under this program will focus on energy efficiency to improve the cost of living for senior homeowners.
● We will be amending policy to support students who live in public housing so that their education is not impacted by housing concerns. We will also be implementing a fuel-tank replacement initiative to assist homeowners to deal with a growing risk area that represents significant environmental implications. These are some of the areas that we will be implementing in the short term.
● We are also developing new programming, new initiatives, policy changes, and research in the mid-term and long-term, as well.
Mr. Speaker, we have an opportunity now to transform the approach to housing programs and policy for possibly the next decade, making proactive changes and transforming the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation into a true social program that will have real, tangible, and positive results for our residents. I look forward to rigorous debate and examination of the proposed directions that we are contemplating.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank all our Members who promoted the survey to their constituents. I want to thank the local housing organizations and government service officers who facilitated the filling out of the surveys in small communities, providing helpful assistance, and even translation when needed. Most importantly, I want to thank the over 1,400 respondents that took the time to seriously contemplate what is working, what is not, and what is missing, and for transferring their recommendations into the housing engagement survey. The participation in the survey clearly sent a message that affordable, quality housing is a main priority for residents in the Northwest Territories. I look forward over the next year to working with everyone in this House to design a housing system that will be enduring, responsive, effective, and appropriate for the residents of the Northwest Territories. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.