Check against delivery
Mr. Speaker, one year ago, the Auditor General’s Performance Audit of Housing NWT was tabled in this House. The audit found that Housing NWT needed to improve how it tracks who gets social housing, monitors the condition of its units, oversees maintenance, measures whether its programs are working, and how it guides staff.
We accepted all of the Auditor General’s recommendations and committed to acting on them. Over the past year, Housing NWT has been improving the systems, policies, and practices needed to deliver housing programs and services more effectively across the Northwest Territories.
A key finding of the audit was that Housing NWT needs to provide clearer direction and better oversight in housing delivery, particularly in our work with Local Housing Organizations. This includes more consistent monitoring of how social housing is allocated and clear guidance to help staff apply the point rating system fairly and consistently.
To address the recommendation, Housing NWT updated the Local Housing Organization Administration Manual to provide better guidance on social housing delivery practices across the territory. In addition, we established ongoing monthly sessions with Local Housing Organization staff to strengthen communication, share best practices, and support more consistent program delivery.
We are also moving forward with an independent review of how Local Housing Organizations are governed and deliver services, and a Request for Proposals was recently issued to undertake this work. The review will look at how well the current model works for delivering Housing NWT’s Social and Market Housing Programs.
Mr. Speaker, another significant focus following the audit has been improving how we monitor social housing maintenance.
Housing NWT has finished modernizing its maintenance management system, which is now in use in Local Housing Organizations across the territory. Maintenance can now be tracked electronically, providing better information and supporting more consistent oversight of housing assets across the territory. Training and support continue to be provided to Local Housing Organization staff as this system becomes part of regular operations.
We have also expanded electronic reporting. Maintenance information is now available through a new online portal, giving Local Housing Organizations and District Offices better access to the information needed to monitor maintenance performance and identify areas requiring attention.
This information will help Housing NWT keep better track of maintenance work, make sure scheduled upkeep is completed, and follow up on outstanding repairs. Better, more accessible information will help us set maintenance priorities, support Local Housing Organizations, and keep our housing in good condition for years to come.
The audit also found that Housing NWT needed a more consistent way to check and record the condition of its social housing units. Over the past two years, Housing NWT has completed and documented condition checks on 90 units in 22 communities. These checks allow Housing NWT to verify that Unit Condition Rating are being completed correctly. We have also put procedures in place to better track this work, and this information helps us identify where repairs and upgrades are needed most, including windows, roofs, and heating systems.
Mr. Speaker, we are taking the same approach to improving our homeownership programs.
The Auditor General found gaps in how Housing NWT measures program results and guides staff in confirming whether applicants are eligible for assistance. In response, Housing NWT has updated guidance and documentation requirements for homeownership repair programs, developed policy changes, trained staff, and strengthened monitoring. These changes will help ensure eligibility decisions are properly documented, and programs are delivered more consistently.
We are also strengthening how we measure whether our programs are working and meeting residents’ needs. Housing NWT has created a dedicated program evaluation position and completed the evaluation plan for the Social Housing Maintenance Program. This work will help us better understand what is working, where improvements are needed, and how to make informed decisions.
The Auditor General’s report showed us where Housing NWT needed stronger systems, better oversight, and more consistent practices. One year later, we have taken action on all of the recommendations and continue to work on fully addressing them. This includes improving how we track social housing allocations, making further improvements to maintenance reporting, and reviewing and evaluating our programs.
We will continue to collaborate with Local Housing Organizations, Indigenous governments, and residents as this work moves forward. We know that meaningful improvements to housing delivery depend on strong relationships and an understanding of the different needs of communities across the territory.
Mr. Speaker, this work is about strengthening the housing system and making sure Housing NWT delivers its programs and services more effectively for residents across the Northwest Territories.
Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.