Mr. Speaker, the North is facing a serious housing crisis. Over 50 percent of housing in small communities require major repairs, overcrowding is common, even of more concern during a pandemic. Over 900 people are currently on the public housing wait list, and Yellowknife's greatest challenge is affordability. In 2018, the federal government launched a $41-billion National Housing Strategy, including a $60-million allocation for the NWT co-investment fund.
Mr. Speaker, two years later, none of this funding has been used. Potential partners are busy providing front-line service to NWT residents and cannot meet the administrative burdens of a demanding application process. The GNWT is fully aware of these capacity issues and cannot afford to play a passive role. It is not even enough for them to act as a facilitator. The Housing Corporation must become an advocate and assume responsibility for ensuring this funding is fully accessed by non-governmental organizations. Seeking partnerships, promoting project opportunities, and facilitating applications must be a priority for the Minister responsible.
There are dozens of creative opportunities to use the co-investment fund. There is a need for after-care housing and supportive programming across the NWT. The on-the-land wellness initiative funding promoted by the Minister of Health and Social Services could be used for after-care supports. This is a perfect opportunity for Indigenous-owned and government-supported housing. In some NWT communities, teachers are living in schools where they teach. This, too, presents an opportunity for community-owned housing with guaranteed renters.
Mr. Speaker, the co-investment fund is not only for new construction. It can also be used for housing repair and renewal to develop energy-efficient, accessible, and socially inclusive housing. In the constituency I serve, there are two housing co-ops.
I am proud that Kam Lake's Borealis Co-op submitted an application for co-investment funding to retrofit their units. The federal government approved the Borealis application from the main National Housing Strategy funding pot, meaning that our $60-million allocation remains unsubscribed.
The Housing Corporation must provide a well-structured, -supported, and -communicated co-investment fund process with a creative and empowered leader.
In February, the Minister responsible advised this House that they would be hiring such a person. Increasing access to affordable homes and reducing core need is a mandate of this Assembly. It will be this government's failure if the Northwest Territories misses out on the opportunities this funding presents to address our long housing crisis, and that would be a Northern travesty, Mr. Speaker. Thank you.