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Mr. Speaker, Partnership is a theme I have spoken about many times since becoming the Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation. The reason for this is simple: the most effective way to address the housing crisis in the Northwest Territories, is by working in partnership with Indigenous governments, community governments, non-governmental organizations, and the Government of Canada.

By working together to offer home repair programs, Community Housing Plans, investment in new housing units, and support for individuals at risk of homelessness, we can make meaningful progress towards achieving our shared housing goals for the territory.

Mr. Speaker, the Housing Corporation has had many recent successes as a result of our strong partnerships.

One example is the NWT Housing Corporations Community Housing Support Program, which empowers communities to determine their own priorities and helps them develop locally appropriate programs to make home repairs a reality. Communities and Indigenous governments we have worked with include Kátł’odeeche First Nation, Kasho Got’ınę Housing Society, Denı́nu Kų́ę́ First Nation, and the Tłı̨chǫ Government.

Another way the Housing Corporation partners with communities is through the development of Community Housing Plans. We work closely with communities to collect information and feedback on their housing concerns and priorities. Whenever possible,
a community member is hired to help facilitate this process and ensure that local priorities are first and foremost in the plan. At present, the Housing Corporation has met with 24 different communities and is well on the way to developing many of these plans. Recently, plans have been adopted in the Hamlet of Enterprise and the Hamlet of Paulatuk.

Mr. Speaker, working in partnership also extends to the Housing Corporation’s actions to address homelessness in communities outside of Yellowknife through the Northern Pathways to Housing program. This is a supportive housing program for single adults, currently operating in:

• Behchokǫ̀, in partnership with the Friendship Centre;
• Fort Simpson, in partnership with the Łı́ı́dlı̨ı̨ Kų́ę́ First Nation;
• Aklavik, in partnership with the Aklavik Indian Band; and,
• Fort Good Hope, in partnership with the Kasho Got’ınę Housing Society.

Northern Pathways to Housing works with partners to provide wraparound supports to stabilize housing for clients.

Mr. Speaker, in addition to all the great work done with our NWT partners, the Government of Canada is also a key partner in addressing the housing needs of the NWT.  Recently, the NWT Housing Corporation has partnered with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, or CMHC, to invest just over $9 million for the renovation of 50 units at the Borealis Co-op here in Yellowknife. The GNWT also partnered with CMHC for the construction of a new building for the Hay River Family Support Centre. Once completed, this new building will provide 14 beds for the shelter.

Working in partnership is truly the most effective way to address the housing needs of the NWT. While all of the partnerships I have spoken of are important successes, there is still a great deal of work to be done.

We will continue to actively engage the Government of Canada and other stakeholders on the territory’s housing needs. We are confident, that with the support and partnership of the federal government, Indigenous governments and organizations, community governments, and other stakeholders, we will help make housing in communities across the NWT more affordable and more accessible for residents who need it most.

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.