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Mr. Speaker, A Way Home: A Comprehensive Strategy to Address Homelessness in the Northwest Territories was tabled in 2023. It called on us work together across government and with partners to deliver more coordinated and effective supports for people experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Since then, that work has steadily moved forward. Seven of the strategy’s nine goals are on track or ahead of schedule, including work to expand transitional housing and strengthen supports for people at risk of homelessness. The remaining two goals are underway and progressing.

Increasing transitional and supportive housing is one area where we are ahead of schedule. The Transitional Housing for Post-Addiction Recovery Program is already operating in Yellowknife, and an Inuvik location is welcoming its first residents this month. This program supports residents returning home after addictions treatment transition back into their communities by helping them maintain recovery while rebuilding stability and independence.

Temporary transitional housing operated by the Yellowknife Women’s Society opened last year, providing 24 bedrooms to help residents move from homelessness to permanent housing. Earlier this year, it was also announced that a new 64-unit building in Yellowknife will include 30 transitional housing suites and 34 social housing units, creating a permanent mixed-housing development that will expand options for residents.

Mr. Speaker, we continue to build on this progress and expand access to transitional and supportive housing across the territory. The significant housing investments made by this Legislative Assembly are helping position the Northwest Territories for a new generation of housing development. This summer Housing NWT and the federal government announced a 480 million-dollar incremental housing investment that includes 50 new transitional or supportive housing units in communities outside of Yellowknife.

By providing alternatives to emergency shelters, these homes give residents greater opportunity to access stable housing alongside the supports they need.

But increasing housing options is only part of the solution. We are also working to help residents maintain stable housing and prevent homelessness before it occurs.

This year, Housing NWT and the Yellowknife Housing Authority started a pilot program to give social housing tenants extra support when they face challenges that make it harder for them to keep their housing long-term.

With this program, an on-site Tenant Support Navigator works one-on-one with tenants to connect them with services and resources that support their goals. This assistance helps tenants connect with health care, access financial assistance, develop life skills, and address barriers that may put their housing at risk. As the program progresses, we will learn more about how individualized supports can help social housing tenants work through challenges, keep their housing, and become more independent.

Mr. Speaker, homelessness is closely connected to health, wellness, income security, and many other factors. Addressing these challenges requires governments, Indigenous governments, service providers, and community organizations to work together.

This past summer, Housing NWT worked with communities and local partners to conduct a Point-in-Time survey to better understand homelessness in Behchokǫ̀, Fort Good Hope, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Hay River, and Inuvik. Information gathered through the survey will help us better understand people’s needs and guide future efforts to prevent and address homelessness across the territory.

Housing NWT recently issued Requests for Proposals for two new services aimed at addressing barriers faced by people currently experiencing homelessness in Yellowknife.

The Dignity Through Secure Storage Initiative will provide secure storage for personal belongings and important documents, helping remove a practical barrier that can make it harder for people experiencing homelessness to access housing, employment, health care, and other supports.

The Encampment Outreach Support Project will provide dedicated encampment outreach services that help connect people experiencing homelessness with information about the supports available to them, while offering regular engagement with a consistent point of contact.

This work complements the GNWT's Encampment Response Framework, which brings together GNWT departments and agencies, the City of Yellowknife, Indigenous governments, the RCMP, and community organizations to improve coordination and strengthen pathways to housing and care.

Mr. Speaker, homelessness is one of the most complex social issues facing our territory.

There are no quick fixes, and significant challenges remain for many people experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and affordability pressures. By strengthening housing programs, improving access to supports, and working alongside our partners, we are building a more responsive system that helps more Northerners find and maintain stable housing.

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.