Is that training and support workshops? Yes. Yes, okay. Minister Chinna.

Sorry, can the Member repeat her question. Sorry.

Member for Monfwi.

Sorry about that. 254 allocated for this fiscal year, I'm just asking if it's going to be enough to make up for the year 2021-2022, there was only three and it's lapsed. Like, aren't we, like -- I'm just trying to ask if it's enough to make up for the years that we lost due to COVID?

Thank you. Minister Chinna.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And during that time, we did hold a lot of -- oh, what is it that -- not the face-to-face, what is it -- virtual. Virtual meetings as well too in connecting with the local housing authorities and with staff. But looking at the 254, I'll have President Young elaborate on that number as well because it does seem quite low. We are trying to put forward our strategic renewal as well. And I know there's a number of training upgrades that we need to provide to our staff. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. President Young.

Thank you. Member for Monfwi.

Yes, thank you. I'm glad that they mention that. But, you know, especially in my region, Tlicho region, we are in housing crisis. We have lots of housing that are sitting vacant, like, for many years. And it's not just that. There are some other houses in the community that are occupied by tenants and they keep complaining that there's all kind of issues with the unit. And they keep calling the LHO office, but they don't have the capacity, so. And some of them they don't have the training do the job.

And I know that we need to -- we need to help our locals to get the training that they need, you know, so that they can do the job. And there's a lot of them. And they're getting younger, some of these staff. So I think what we should do is that yes, if 254 isn't enough then we need do more to help build up our local youth that are working for the departments. But not only that, the administrations need a lot of work because like I was saying before in my Member's statement, some of the arrears that occurred, it is from -- they are basing the rent on last year's income. And nobody comes and work with the tenants. Only once a year or once their notice of assessment comes in, then many of these tenants are given a huge bill. And some of them are not working. Last year maybe they worked; this year they're not working. And so that's how a lot of rent accumulated. And even Tlicho region alone, we have like $1.4 million arrears. And that's probably based on the administration because nobody is contacting these tenants.

And it's not from not paying rent alone but it's just that once -- you know, like, once they gather all the information and in July/August, some of the people they start calling and saying I just got $14,000 bill, you know, housing bill. And they're still paying max. So these are subsidized housing; these are social housing. And it's -- I don't think, you know, it's -- I don't see it as a social housing if you're getting the tenants to pay max. If it is subsidized, then what they should do is that they should be working with the local based on the current income. Last year income, yes, there was -- yes, it was a good year for employment but this year it's not so all those things have to be taken into consideration when they're doing this.

So I know that that's where a lot of arrears have occurred. So in administration, at the administration level, there needs to be more training provided for the LHO office and also for the trades, for the young people that are working there. We need to build them up. We need more than just -- like here, you know one position is sunset. Like, and I know in my region in Behchoko we don't have that many staff working there to accommodate to work on over 200 public units. And we only have few staff, you know.

So I know they need to do a better job. Not only that too, and so I heard the president said about handbook, tenant's handbook. That's good. It's good they have that, you know. But 2018 status report for the GNWT for my region, we have the low literacy rate. We have the low graduation rate. If that is low, how do you expect these people to read? Is it going to be written in Tlicho language too as well or the administration team, are they going to be going around to the Tlicho community or to the people and tell them and explain to them what the handbook is about? How are they going to accommodate? How are they going to implement this? Like, what are they going to do? Like, just give it out and then just -- it's going to be forgotten. So how are they going to -- I just want to know how they're going to carry out, you know, like delivering the handbook.

Thank you. Minister Chinna.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you to the Member for her question. I was just consulting with President Young because we do have the renewal that is coming out as well too -- I mean that has been established. And I do have Jamie Fulford that is here as well so I'm just wondering to switch out the witnesses so he could speak on behalf of the strategic renewal as well with the training and the aspects with it. Is that all right?

Does committee agree?

Okay. Sergeant-at-arms, please switch the witnesses.

Thank you. Go ahead, Minister Chinna.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And I just wanted to speak about the community liaison officer as well too that we've been working with the Tlicho government. So that is going to be funded still for the Tlicho government through our community initiatives project. So that position is still there. It didn't eliminate it. It didn't go -- cancel or anything.

The thing -- I also wanted to speak about the trades concerns that you do have. I have seen it throughout the Northwest Territories. I have been to one of my communities where 75 units and one apprenticeship -- I mean, one maintenance person. And, you know, then it results in a lot of declining administration for these units as well and it does end up costing us quite a bit in the future. But recruiting maintenance people has honestly been a challenge throughout the Northwest Territories.

And also the training for administration, I hear you on that. And through the renewal, these have been identified and there's been a lot of consultation that has been happening, and I did, you know, keep my feet to the ground I guess in making sure that people knew about this renewal that was coming up; we did get the comments that were required out there as well. Language has been identified as well. And in respect I hear where the Member's coming from and understanding that, you know, the Tlicho language is very strong in her riding. I'm looking at further translation documents as well too and also providing further training to our local housing authority and our staff as well too to look at more client-based training. And I look forward to these changes as this renewal is more -- with more emphasis on it. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Thank you. And the time has expired for the Member for Monfwi. But if Mr. Fulford has anything to add to the question that was asked, then if you want to just answer that now and then we'll move on to Member for Thebacha. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll move on to Member for Thebacha.

Thank you, Madam Chair. First of all, we have 2900 rental housing units in 33 communities. Could you tell me how many units are located in Yellowknife and then I could sort of figure out the 33 communities, please. Thank you.

Thank you. Minister Chinna.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm pretty sure I may have the number in my binder but it's in my desk. Just a second.

Did you have a next question, and then we'll get back to that one, Member for Thebacha.

I just want to make sure that I don't lose time waiting for them to find the answer.

I also would like to know about the homeownership program. How many homeownership programs have gone to individuals in the entire NWT is my second question, Madam Chair.