In the Legislative Assembly on May 31st, 2022. See this topic in context.
Oral Question 1119-19(2): Flooding
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Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, these questions are for the Minister of Housing. And I appreciate the fact that she came to Hay River last weekend and toured the assets looked after by the Hay River Housing Authority. So the questions I didn't provide them to you, but they're easy to answer.
What support is the department providing to those housing tenants displaced from their homes? Thank you.
Oral Question 1119-19(2): Flooding
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The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Member for Hay River South. Minister responsible for Housing NWT.
Oral Question 1119-19(2): Flooding
Oral Questions
May 31st, 2022
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Paulie Chinna Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And thank you to the Member for the questions. And I did travel to Hay River over the weekend as well. And I was glad to see that we do have the LHO and the manager very active at the ground level.
Right now, the Housing NWT is in the process of renovating and repairing the current units in Hay River that have been affected. Also we are looking at -- we also provided sea cans for people's belongings that have been damaged that are required. We did honestly provide as well too emotional support. I was very, very impressed by the LHO being at the ground level, and such a traumatic event. I was very, very glad to hear that the staff at the ground level has been very available and very cooperative with the community. It was something very tragic for that region. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Oral Question 1119-19(2): Flooding
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Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And the Minister is correct in saying that the LHO has been very supportive of the residents. They've done a great job in assisting them in making the move, especially out of Whispering Willows.
So what additional supports or supports are being provided to the Hay River Housing Authority and the board? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Oral Question 1119-19(2): Flooding
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Paulie Chinna Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Right now the Housing NWT, we did have employees going down to the community immediately as of last Monday, and they were doing the assessments of our public housing units in the community as well. But I need to bring this back to our department because I know this is going to be a really lengthy process but it is going to end up coming with a financial contribution to the LHO as well too. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Oral Question 1119-19(2): Flooding
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Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, will the Minister tell me if there is a timeline to complete renovations to housing units, more specifically, I guess, Whispering Willows because that impacts, you know, a vulnerable sector of residents. Thank you.
Oral Question 1119-19(2): Flooding
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Paulie Chinna Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And I'm happy to also report that the LHO as well at the ground level had been very cooperative in trying to help us find additional places for our residents in our public housing units. The last update I did get was three to four months depending on availability of the contractors and the specific repairs that need to be done in Whispering Willows. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Oral Question 1119-19(2): Flooding
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The Speaker Frederick Blake Jr.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Hay River South.
Oral Question 1119-19(2): Flooding
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Rocky Simpson Hay River South
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me whether her department is in discussions with the federal government to try and get the empty houses that they have sitting in Hay River for use as temporary accommodation for some of the families that were displaced? Thank you.
Oral Question 1119-19(2): Flooding
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Paulie Chinna Sahtu
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. We have been able to enter into an agreement with the federal government to have access to the four federal housing units in the community, but that administration will be handled by Municipal and Community Affairs as this would be for homeowners. Housing NWT is providing assistance to our public housing tenants. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
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