Thank you, Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the committee's report was read into the record on March 7th, 2023. The Standing Committee on Social Development focused our study on homelessness prevention. Homelessness prevention targets policies, practices, and interventions that prevent a person from experiencing homelessness or reducing the risk of homelessness reoccurring. The Northwest Territories is facing an unprecedented housing crisis directly connected to a rising number of people experiencing homelessness throughout the territory, and in this territory the consequences of homelessness are deadly serious and life threatening. That's why this work needed to happen, Madam Chair. Despite this work being personally challenging for both the committee and those who had the courage to share their experiences with us to make this report stronger.
I would like to thank every person who shared their lived experience with this committee. From May to December of 2022, more than 165 people came forward to give their perspectives. People engaged in community meetings, private meetings, in-camera presentations, written submissions, and an anonymous survey, Madam Chair.
Committee took two approaches to this report - a homelessness prevention approach and a trauma informed approach. The recommendations put forward by this committee are intended to support pathways out of homelessness and toward being safely housed, as well as recommendations to prevent or reduce the experience of homelessness in the future.
Madam Chair, each person in the NWT deserves the dignity of a home. Through a culturally safe coordinated all-of-territory approach, it is possible to prevent homelessness. A collective response requires all to step forward and work toward housing all community members. Individual Members may have comments. Thank you, Madam Chair.