Check against delivery
 

Mr. Speaker, last fall, the Auditor General released its report on housing in the Northwest Territories. This was a call to action, and we are answering it. Staff and leadership remain committed to transparency and view the audit findings as an opportunity to improve the suitability, accessibility, and affordability of housing across the territory.

The audit highlighted opportunities to strengthen our programs and services, our partnership with Local Housing Organizations, and our capacity to equitably serve residents. It also reinforced areas that we knew required attention and where, in some cases, improvements were already in progress. Although we are only four months post-audit, I would like to provide an update on the progress we have made to date, and the actions planned or underway across all areas identified in the report.

In alignment with the audit’s recommendation, we are improving the monitoring of Local Housing Organizations. We have begun scoping a new monitoring framework and started consultations with LHO managers and District Offices. We are updating the LHO Administration Manual and have implemented monthly touchpoints for staff and LHOs to increase training on policies and procedures. These actions are intended to strengthen transparency, consistency, and fairness in how social housing units are allocated across the territory.

Mr. Speaker, on maintenance and asset management, at Housing NWT we are focused on enhancing processes and accountability. A modernized system for maintenance management has now been implemented across all LHOs, supported by ongoing training and new online reporting tools. We are reviewing and renewing Community Housing Services Agreements, and a formalized quarterly reporting process will be implemented this year. Housing NWT has also completed a capacity gap assessment for maintenance activities. These steps will ensure maintenance activities are documented, reported, and acted on regularly and effectively.

The Auditor General also identified gaps in our monitoring and evaluation of Homeownership Programs. We have increased capacity in oversight of our homeownership programs to support the development of a compliance monitoring program that ensures program eligibility and parameters are followed.

Mr. Speaker, on the need to evaluate our homeownership programs I would like to note that this work is being conducted through the Government Renewal Initiative and ensures program evaluations are completed to better measure outcomes and guide future improvements. Housing NWT has reprofiled a position and hired an additional staff member to support program design and evaluation. An evaluation framework for the Emergency Repair and the Social Housing Maintenance Programs will be finalized shortly. Last, but not least, we are determining where to partner with Indigenous governments or other interested governments and organizations to improve the delivery and service of homeownership repair programs. 

Mr. Speaker, the Auditor General found that Housing NWT had begun to deliver on this government’s commitment to deliver an updated housing needs assessment and better understand housing needs in the NWT. We have recently completed the Territorial Housing Needs Assessment to identify what housing supports are needed and where.

We recognize that there is more work to be done. We are actively exploring options to increase capacity, both within Housing NWT and across the LHOs. We have also acknowledged as a government that housing is a shared responsibility, so we cannot do this work alone. We will continue to advocate for increased federal funding, so we have the tools to guarantee equitable access and consistent application of informed criteria. Everyone deserves a safe, healthy place to call home and we have a responsibility to uphold our role in providing that.

Quyanainni, Mr. Speaker.