Assembly Vote
19th Assembly, 2nd SessionJune 2, 2022
Motion Sponsor
Topic
Motion Text
Okay, next time I'll (audio) to ten. Sorry about that. Okay, well, I'm still going to say -- thank you. Okay, now we're okay, we're good to go? Okay, well, got to be serious now. Okay.
Housing NWT transfer to long-term tenants.
Mr. Speaker,
WHEREAS, the Priorities of the 19th Legislative Assembly directs Cabinet to increase the number of affordable homes and reduce core housing needs;.
AND WHEREAS, the 2019 mandate of the Government of the Northwest Territories further directs Housing NWT to transition 100 individuals and/or families to homeownership;
AND WHEREAS, Housing NWT provides housing throughout the territory and is the primary provider of housing in the small communities;
AND WHEREAS, pathways to homeownership remains difficult due to barriers and challenges, including income thresholds, for many residents in the smaller communities;
AND WHEREAS, many residents have been long-term tenants in Housing NWT units, have raised their families in these units, and developed strong connections to these units as their family homes;
AND WHEREAS, Housing NWT has many unused and vacant housing units, some of which are in need of repair, throughout the territory;
AND WHEREAS, declining Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation funding will continue to pressure the Government of the Northwest Territories in terms of being able to maintain and repair the current stock of housing units;
NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, seconded by the honourable Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes, that this Legislative Assembly calls upon Housing NWT to increase efforts to transfer ownership of Housing NWT units to long-term tenants, who have lived in their existing units for 20 years or more, and are willing to assume ownership of their family home for a nominal fee;.
AND FURTHER, that Housing NWT will work with municipal and Indigenous governments to ensure land leases or fee simple title for their units remains affordable when transferred from Housing NWT to the current tenants;
AND FURTHERMORE, that Housing NWT increase efforts to transfer unused and vacant units to interested residents in the communities throughout the territory;
AND FURTHERMORE, that efforts supporting the transfer of unused and vacant units as well as units of long-term tenants commence immediately by Housing NWT;
AND FURTHERMORE, that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a comprehensive response to this motion within 120 days.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.