Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, in October 2021, Housing NWT released a document titled Strategy for Renewal outlining various actions that Housing NWT proposed to do with housing within the 19th Assembly. That document was light on details and includes no mention of seniors or assisting seniors with their housing needs, which is concerning given the rising number of seniors we have in the NWT.
Mr. Speaker, according to the 2021 census data, there are currently 2,455 seniors above the age of 70 living in the NWT. Further, according to the data from the Department of Health and Social Services, the number of seniors aged 70 and older will more than double within ten years. Considering these statistics, I am finding it troubling that the Housing NWT does not seem to be taking this data into account and they're not appropriately planning on how to address this for the future. Despite much talk about helping seniors to age in place with dignity and some programs created specifically for seniors, there has never been a dedicated seniors housing strategy created and carried out by Housing NWT.
Mr. Speaker, when it comes to addressing seniors housing, there are some essential aspects to consider. For example, the layout of the home must account for occupants with potential mobility issues or people dealing with various long-term illnesses. Another aspect that needs to be addressed are situations where a natural disaster either destroys or severely damages the existing home of a senior citizen, because right now the disaster assistance policy is only available to people when a natural disaster occurs where the damage is so widespread to a significant number of people or properties were affected.
In addition, Mr. Speaker, I think there needs to be a new way to calculate the rent for seniors regardless of income level, race, or which part of the NWT they live in. I believe there should be a flat rate, single-fixed cost system that determines the rent for seniors. There needs to be a greater fairness in equity afforded to our senior population when it comes to rental charges. Enacting these changes would reduce the amount of rental arrears incurred by seniors and would provide them with less financial stress and worry. Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.
---Unanimous consent granted
In closing, Mr. Speaker, I raised this idea with the housing Minister several times this term and while she has expressed some interest of it, she's been unable or perhaps unwilling to commit to putting any action toward it. I hope the Minister reconsiders because I think that a seniors housing strategy would properly address the needs of seniors and would close some of the gaps that our existing programs do not address for our senior population. I will have questions for the housing Minister at the appropriate time. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
