Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, yesterday in this House, the Minister of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation announced news of undertaking a review and renewal exercise of the corporation's new vision for the future of housing for the residents of the Northwest Territories. It is encouraging they will work with the Northwest Territories Council of Leaders Housing Working Group.
Mr. Speaker, the announcement goes on to state that the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is committed to keeping Northerners informed of any progress. Of particular interest is the statement of a significant engagement and partnership with the federal government to provide unprecedented levels of housing activity to include record numbers of homes to be built in the North.
Mr. Speaker, all this news is particularly encouraging considering the current state of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation's predicament.
Mr. Speaker, it is known the Housing Corporation is on course to offload housing units to anyone, including First Nations organizations. I believe there is the magic date of 2038. This is the date the Central Mortgage and Housing Corporation, also known as CMHC, will discontinue funding for operations and maintenance on all public housing units which includes rental units.
Mr. Speaker, we are already seeing declining CMHC funding on a yearly basis.
Last year, in November 2020, letters were sent to many First Nations organizations by the Housing Minister regarding the Federal Rapid Housing Initiative to create affordable housing for vulnerable populations. The letter stated the tight deadline for the applications of December 31st, 2020. There was a funding pot of $500 million.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue my statement. Mahsi.
---Unanimous consent granted
Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. And mahsi, colleagues.
One of the criteria was the acquisition of land for the construction of modular housing. Mr. Speaker, the other provisions of the application process is the applicant is responsible for operations and maintenance funding. Well, the O and M funding will most likely pay for monthly land leases, power usage, water, sewage, garbage, and ongoing maintenance of the units.
Does this sound familiar? Of course it does. It is currently the financial woes of the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.
I am not certain if the applications were ever scrutinized for compliance with the criteria set out in the letter as there was a rush considering the short timeline to submit applications.
Kudos to all that made the deadline. I am certain they had the best intentions of providing housing to their community members. Mr. Speaker, I will have questions for the Housing Minister at the appropriate time. Mahsi.