Marsi cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I will talk about the possibilities of direct funding by the NWT Housing Corporation to some of Indigenous communities that may be in a position to receive direct funding for the various home ownership programs delivered by the Housing Corporation.
Mr. Speaker, over the past few years there have been various strategies, initiatives, plans, and so on, all aimed at reducing core need for housing across the NWT. One of these strategies was announced last year by the federal government. They are calling it a Northern Housing Strategy, which provides $300 million to three territories over 10 years. Of this pot, the NWT got $36 million, which is only $3.6 million per year, which is hardly anything to get excited about. It hardly puts a dent on the core need.
This was also followed, Mr. Speaker, by another federal strategy that put $600 million towards housing for Indigenous reserves across southern Canada, which unfortunately left the NWT out of the equation.
Mr. Speaker, I have asked the NWT Housing Corporation on many occasions to develop community housing plans within each community across the North. Although nothing is likely to occur anytime soon, a community housing plan can tell us what needs to be done community by community to reduce core need.
Mr. Speaker, I am not sure the NWT Housing Corporation knows what it will take to develop these housing plans, and if they were to develop the plans, it would be beyond the life of this government.
However, Mr. Speaker, I have a solution. Right now, the Housing Corporation has the ability to sign partnership agreements with communities that can get projects completed. I suggest the Housing Corporation begin working with communities to determine which of them can take responsibility for home-ownership programs delivered to its residents.
Over the next few months, Mr. Speaker, the Housing Corporation can deliver programs that will keep seniors in their own home as long as possible, and the plan can involve the Home Care Program from Health and Social Services. I'm not talking about the aging in place program that is currently rolled out by the Housing Corporation for $10,000. It's a good program, but it's not enough money to modify the homes and make homes senior friendly. We need houses that our seniors can move around barrier-free and are efficient to operate.
Mr. Speaker, I can go on and on about the benefits of just one initiative I have in mind. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted