Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

WHEREAS Housing Northwest Territories has acknowledged the rate of core housing need in the Northwest Territories is significantly higher than the national rate;

AND WHEREAS core housing need in the Northwest Territories has been persistently high and has increased over time;

AND WHEREAS the lack of homes in the Northwest Territories that are suitable, adequate, or affordable contributes to the high number of homeless people in the Northwest Territories;

AND WHEREAS homelessness is a growing challenge facing all Northwest Territories communities;

AND WHEREAS Indigenous residential school survivors and people affected by the child welfare system are grossly over-represented in the homeless population;

AND WHEREAS Indigenous people represent nearly 92 percent of homeless people in the capital city;

NOW THEREFORE I MOVE, second by the Member for Range Lake, that the Government of the Northwest Territories acknowledge housing as a human right by amending the Housing Northwest Territories Act to enshrine the right to housing in legislation;

AND FURTHER, that the Government of the Northwest Territories establish the Northwest Territories Housing Forum in legislation to provide recommendations and advice to the Minister;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the Government of the Northwest Territories leverage the Northwest Territories Housing Forum to improve access to federal funding and implement culturally appropriate housing solutions in collaboration with Indigenous governments;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the Government of the Northwest Territories collaborate with the Northwest Territories Housing Forum to bring homes out of core need within the earliest timeframe;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the Government establish a territorial housing advocate in legislation to review and evaluate the outcomes of the Housing Northwest Territories Act;

AND FURTHERMORE, that the Government of the Northwest Territories provide a comprehensive response to this motion within 120 days.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.