Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I believe housing is a human right. Safe and secure housing is the foundation for healthy communities and is required for all residents to be successful parents, reliable employees, and contributing citizens. When Avery missed rent payments, a notice was emailed. When Avery was disrupted, the LHA identified the behaviour needed to change and put their client on a payment plan. When no change occurred, Avery was asked to sign a last chance agreement. Rent didn't stop getting paid due to laziness, and disruptions weren't just because. At no point did the local housing authority connect Avery to government supports outside of their office.

Given the importance of housing to social and individual wellness, I expect the Housing Corporation to empower its local housing authorities to provide trauma-informed, client-focused service. It is clear from Avery's experience that they do not. They are run like a government-backed landlord. They are not expected to link struggling tenants to social supports which are often not available without government referral. They lack the policy to mandate their support. They do not appear to maintain relationships with other social departments and non-profit organizations. Housing Corporation mandate does not identify its responsibility as a social envelope department, but this must be changed.

Not all public housing clients can be the perfect tenant expected by the Rental Tenancies Act. They need support. Housing authorities need to be guided by the practices of care that identify red flags and connect clients to resources to help them be a better tenant and remain in healthy, stable housing. Through the integrated case management model, the GNWT is moving toward modern service delivery designed to meet Northerners where they are at. People need access to supports, and this government needs to make those supports more accessible. Without including a front-line housing organization that cares for and connects these clients, the overall approach will be lacking, and we will still be having these conversations for decades to come.

Homelessness derails sobriety, separates families, destabilizes employment, and wreaks havoc on the physical and mental health of NWT residents. It is difficult and expensive to help people recover from homelessness. Chaos is costly, Mr. Speaker, and prevention is key. It is time for this government to move the Housing Corporation upstream. It is time for it restructure and evolve to support the wraparound care model that the GNWT is already working to put in place. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.