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.

Today the Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC), announced that the Transitional Rent Supplement Program (TRSP) has been extended to November 30, 2020.

The NWTHC and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CHMC) continue to work collaboratively to implement the Canada Housing Benefit (CHB) and are currently finalizing the design elements.  The CHB will be a cost-shared program that will work to provide residents the support they require to access affordable rental housing.

Mr. Speaker, increasing the number of affordable homes and reducing core housing need is a priority of this government. The difficult times that we are emerging from highlight that safe and secure housing is one of our highest needs.  The delivery of housing services became more challenging given our need to stay healthy in preparation of COVID-19 through physical distancing.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize that supporting vulnerable residents in need of housing or at risk of homelessness across the Northwest Territories is an essential part of the overall response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.  The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation has been working to ensure that we meet the needs of our residents during this difficult and challenging time.

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Today Paulie Chinna, Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC) announced that units previously identified for self-isolation purposes will be allocated to clients of NWTHC programs.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and on the guidance of the Emergency Management Organization (EMO), the NWTHC reserved approximately 130 units in 27 communities to ensure that individuals needing to self-isolate had options to do so safely while being supported through this difficult and challenging time.