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Mr. Speaker, in my time as the Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation I have made it a priority to travel to communities to listen to what our residents are telling us about housing and then seeking solutions to the barriers that are identified. Homeownership is a goal for many of us, but it can be a challenge. The costs of owning and maintaining a home can be expensive, and out of reach for many of us, especially those in rural and remote communities.

The Minister Responsible for Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC), Paulie Chinna, is expanding opportunities for NWT residents to pursue the goal of homeownership.

The Mandate of the 19th Legislative Assembly identified increasing the number of affordable homes and reducing core housing need as a key priority. One of the actions identified under this priority is to transition individuals or families to homeownership through the sale of units or lease-to-own agreements for existing housing units.

The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is committed to providing effective and considerate programming that meets the needs of seniors. Today Paulie Chinna, the Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC) is pleased to announce amendments to the housing repair programming policies for seniors. These amendments remove the requirement for home insurance, formal land tenure, and only assess the incomes of seniors who own their homes.

The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC) created the Community Housing Support program to support Indigenous and Community Governments to implement and innovative, community-driven housing projects. More affordable housing continues to be developed through the Community Housing Support program in partnership with communities.  Today, the Minister Responsible for NWTHC, Paulie Chinna, is pleased to announce two new agreements under this program with two more communities, Nahanni Butte and Colville Lake.

Enabling seniors to age in place with dignity is a priority for the 19^th legislative Assembly. Today, Paulie Chinna, Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation announced the completion of renovations to the Deh Gáh Got’ıe Koe Seniors complex in Fort Providence.

Paulie Chinna, Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC) issued the following statement today on the CMHC National Co-investment Fund $60 million allocation for the Northwest Territories (NWT).

“As the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, I would like to provide some clarity around the CMHC National Co-investment Fund $60 million allocation for the Northwest Territories.

Providing stable housing solutions for our most vulnerable residents is a priority for this government. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is dedicated to providing effective and considerate programming that meets the needs of NWT residents facing housing insecurity.

Today, the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, Paulie Chinna in collaboration with the Hay River Committee for Persons with Disabilities is announcing the opening of the Hay River Shelter for persons experiencing homelessness.

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Mr. Speaker, supporting vulnerable residents in need of housing or facing homelessness continues to be an essential part of the Government of the Northwest Territories’ response to COVID-19. The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is working diligently to meet the needs of our residents as we move through the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Mr. Speaker, appropriate community engagement is vitally important to all Government of the Northwest Territories departments and agencies, including the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation.

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Mr. Speaker, it has always been my belief that partnership between our communities, the Government of the Northwest Territories and other levels of government are the key to increasing affordable housing in the Northwest Territories.  Through the National Housing Co-investment Fund, we have an opportunity to make this a reality.