Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to celebrate the award recently announced for the K'asho Got'ýnê Housing Society in my home community of Fort Good Hope. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Gold Roof Award for Knowledge to Action was presented to the dedicated team representing the K'asho Got'ýnê Housing Society.
This award recognizes the work the K'asho Got'ýnê Housing Society has done in developing its own housing repair and maintenance program and includes a $10,000 contribution to help the society continue its work.
Mr. Speaker, this is an example of how communities can take a leadership role in increasing housing in partnership with the Housing Corporation. It demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration and capacity building in the efforts to tackle the housing crisis in the northern remote communities. The success of the K'asho Got'ýnê and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is paving the way for the implementing of the strategic renewal.
Prior to this award, the Housing Corporation had been working in partnership with the K'asho Got'ine Housing Society on this repair program. Through the Housing Corporation's Community Housing Support Program, this will show we can do and we work in our community with partnership and respond together to the locally identified specific needs in a given community. This partnership began with a community housing plan, for which the Housing Corporation provided funding and it progressed on from there.
Mr. Speaker, when Premier Cochrane was Minister Responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, she attended a town hall meeting in Fort Good Hope where it was noted that many residents had trouble accessing Housing Corporation's repair programs. It was during that visit that the Housing Corporation staff proposed that the K'asho Got'ine Housing Society develop its own community repair program that would allow the K'asho Got'ine Housing Society to select program, participants, and provide training opportunities for building trades helpers and apprentices. The Government of the Northwest Territories heard the needs of the community and acted in partnership with the community to address those needs.
The NWT Housing Corporation is also working with the K'asho Got'ine Housing Society on a men's transitional housing initiative. The Men's Transitional Housing Initiative Program is a mandate and provides unique programming for men who are homeless or have insecured housing. Through a holistic approach, this is strongly rooted in the Dené and Metis culture. Given the award-winning track record of the Housing Corporation Society, I would not be surprised if I would be standing here again in the future if they may receive an additional award.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to use this opportunity to express our appreciation to the commitment and dedication of the K'asho Got'ine Housing Society and look forward in building our partnership to address housing needs for all Fort Good Hope residents. I would like to thank all Fort Good Hope residents and for your tireless work in providing a model for other communities. I would also like to thank the Housing Corporation staff for their dedication and their work into such a unique approach. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.
---Applause