August 22, 2011 - Minister of NWTHC Robert McLeod gives his remarks on the Shelter Policy Review that NWTHC conducted between May and Aug. 2011.
Mr. Speaker, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has, through the Shelter Policy Review, been examining its overall approach to delivering housing programs, services and supports to NWT residents. The Department of Executive and the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC) have worked collaboratively in carrying out this review, which will result in a broad strategic framework designed to refocus the GNWT’s approach to housing delivery. I rise today to update Members and the general public on the progress of this Review.
A critical component of the Shelter Policy Review has been extensive engagement with NWT residents. Input from residents on housing challenges and options for improvements forms an essential part of the analysis being conducted under this Review.
Between May and August of this year, widespread engagement was conducted through:
o Workshops with regional and community representatives;
o Meetings with NWTHC clients;
o Workshops with Local Housing Organization Chairs and Managers;
o Input from NWT residents through on-line questionnaire and statistical telephone survey; and,
o Meetings and interviews with Members of the Legislative Assembly, non-governmental organizations, other stakeholder groups such as the Chamber of Commerce and the NWT Association of Communities, and other GNWT Departments.
Excellent input has been received from NWT residents through this engagement. This included some common themes. For instance, in the case of public housing rent, some of the feedback from this engagement is that residents want a fair, uncomplicated, predictable system of rent that promotes self-reliance rather than creating dependency or discouraging some tenants from working. Addressing the differences between market and non-market communities was another common theme. The feedback from this engagement forms an important part of the Shelter Policy Review process and the constructive participation of so many residents has been greatly appreciated.
Other major components of the Review include the examination of the Public Housing Program rent scale and the evaluation of the Housing Choices homeownership programs. As the research and analysis phase of these and other components of the Review near completion, the next stage will be developing options that will provide the GNWT with recommendations on a consistent approach to addressing need at all stages of the housing continuum, including homelessness, transitional and supportive housing, public housing, market rentals and homeownership. For instance, the options will address:
o Approaches to strengthen public housing;
o Recommendations regarding homeownership programs, particularly smaller communities, including issues with housing quality;
o Recommendations to address the lack of housing options available in non-market communities;
o Recommendations to improve housing services and communication with residents on housing;
o Approaches to address homelessness, transition housing, seniors’ housing supports, and housing supports for persons with disabilities;
o Infrastructure solutions based on individual and community needs; and
o Approaches to address the declining federal funding that supports the operation and maintenance of public housing units.
The recommendations being brought forward through the work of the Shelter Policy Review will provide guidance to the 17th Legislative Assembly as it considers and plans for how housing programs, services and supports will be delivered to NWT residents.
Mr. Speaker, one of the actions the GNWT identified under its Strategic Initiative is to reduce the cost of living. We expect that the results of this Shelter Policy Review will build on the significant investment that the 16th Legislative Assembly has made in housing infrastructure across the NWT and provide a framework that will positively shape housing programs, services and supports to meet the needs NWT residents over the long-term.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.