The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is moving forward with a major modular housing project that will deliver 98 new homes across nine communities in the Northwest Territories. This initiative is part of a historic three-year, $150 million plan approved this year by the Legislative Assembly to improve housing across the territory.
The Fort Resolution Housing Authority has been placed under Administration. This will remain in effect until it is repealed at a date to be determined.
The Minister of Housing Northwest Territories (Housing NWT) has determined that it has become necessary to place the Fort Resolution Housing Authority under administration to due to operational challenges. It is an exceptional measure that has been deemed necessary to stabilize operations and address the challenges the Housing Authority is facing.
The Territorial Housing Needs Assessment (THNA) survey opens today, giving residents across the Northwest Territories a chance to share their experiences and priorities when it comes to housing.
This is the first time in over 20 years that a housing study of this scale has been done across the entire NWT. The THNA will give a clear, up-to-date picture of housing challenges at the community, regional, and territorial levels, and help shape better housing programs and funding decisions.
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Mr. Speaker, ensuring the health and well-being of all residents in the Northwest Territories is an essential work of this government.
The NWT is falling behind other jurisdictions when it comes to implementing healthy safeguards to limit smoking. Yukon implemented a smoking ban in public and government housing in in 2012, and Nunavut followed suit in 2023. Now, we must align with prevailing health advice and ensure safe, client-focused housing solutions.
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Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to recognize the outstanding achievement of staff at Housing NWT, who were recently honoured with the Community Project of the Year Award from Canadian Biomass. This award celebrates the district heating wood-pellet boiler system installed at the Sissons Court housing complex in Yellowknife.
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Mr. Speaker, this government is committed to building more homes for Northerners.
This commitment is strongly supported by large new incremental investment in housing totaling $150 million dollars over the remaining term of the 20th Legislative Assembly.
The investment is the result of strong collaboration by all Members of this House, and highlights the strength of our consensus government system. Improving the suitability, accessibility, and affordability of housing is a top priority of this government.
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Mr. Speaker, homelessness is a complex issue that affects all of our communities. The rising cost of living, addictions, and climate emergencies have disproportionately affected our most vulnerable residents. The GNWT is committed to finding solutions that will provide more homes for Northerners.
The GNWT continues to focus on a whole-of-government approach to address homelessness, following the development of A Way Home: A Comprehensive Strategy to Address Homelessness in the Northwest Territories.
The GNWT , in collaboration with the City of Yellowknife, PCL Construction, Stantec, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), announces that the groundbreaking event has taken place on the site of the new 50-unit public housing multi-plex in downtown Yellowknife. Substantial construction work will begin soon. This development received $20.8 million in funding through CMHC’s Rapid Housing Initiative.
The GNWT has updated the rent scale for Market Rental Units. Notices are currently being sent to tenants in market housing units by May 1st outlining a 90-day notice of rent increase. Market rental rates remained stable since 2012, however recent years of sustained inflation now necessitates an adjustment in line with current market conditions and to reflect operating costs. These rent adjustments will help to equalize the market rate gaps in communities where market conditions require private landlords and developers to charge higher rates.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is moving forward with a new transitional housing initiative to help individuals experiencing homelessness access safe, stable housing and meaningful supports.
A temporary transitional housing facility will be established just outside Yellowknife, on Highway 3 across from the Yellowknife Airport and adjacent to the parking lot used for the annual Folk on the Rocks festival.
