Jane Weyallon Armstrong

Thank you. As a result, you know, this is really because of the neglect for so long that many of our young people with challenges, they didn't have the opportunity, they fell through the cracks and it's like, you know, they miss out on a lot so this is where the JP program came in, and that's where JP helped many of our young people because we do have -- the autism is the one that's coming up more and more in many of the smaller communities, especially for disabilities. And I know that, you know, whether the JP gets approved or not and with them, I know, you know -- because JP was not approved...

Okay. So it's not being -- other communities where there's a lot of need as well within the disabilities and respite and the seniors??? funds, so is there a program that goes to the small communities to support these three items?

Well, it's good the program is being reviewed, the policy is being reviewed, because it's the policy. I like the program. I understand about all the program that's available to help homeownership or to have more homeownership.

Given that the homeownership initiative policy is a policy that does not identify the core need income threshold as an eligibility requirement, what internal direction or guidance led to its use in assessing applicant eligibility? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the auditor general's report shows that housing issues have persisted for over a decade with little progress. How will the Minister ensure accountability and deliver a clear, measurable plan to address overcrowding, improve housing quality, and prevent this crisis from continuing for another generation. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my question is for housing. Mr. Speaker, GNWT received various auditor general's reports, education, social program, and housing all gave a failing grade. With that in mind, Mr. Speaker, Tlicho region is in housing crisis with severe overcrowding in Tlicho communities. What immediate steps is the Minister of Housing NWT taking to build new houses in the Tlicho region rather than relocating families to Yellowknife. Thank you.

Okay, so what page are we on, then? 198, okay. I know that with administrative and support services, I don't see in here -- it would have been nice if we can -- if we know the administrative and support services, if it was broken down by regions so then I could see clearly how much is being spent to Tlicho region. You know, like, I am sure you would like to know too, for Sahtu, you know, because all regions are important to us and we do rely heavily on the government program and services. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, improving health care, it's very important, especially in the small communities in the Northwest Territories. It's mostly in -- almost all the Indigenous communities across Canada, health care needs to be improved. It's good to know that there's going -- you know, that funding will be renewed, the agreement for the funding will be renewed.

The other one here, capital transfer, a Green and Inclusive Community Building Agreement, that budget is cut in half for the upcoming fiscal year. Can the Minister also explain why that this funding it's -- like going...

Yes, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am talking about the homeownership initiative program, the policy, not the repair program.

With that in mind, what steps will the Minister take to ensure that eligibility decisions for the homeownership initiative align with the written policy, and will previously denied applicants and/or applications be reviewed if they were screened using criteria not specified in the program policy? Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, my questions are for the Minister responsible for Housing.

Mr. Speaker, I have constituents -- and it's not only in my region. It's in other regions as well -- that have recently been denied eligibility for the homeownership initiative program on the basis that they exceeded the core need income threshold. Why have these applicants been deemed ineligible for exceeding this threshold when the homeownership initiative policy makes no reference to this requirement? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I am aware in all the NWT but the auditor general's report did mention Tlicho region with the highest need. We're in housing crisis. I am going based on the report that's before us.

So with that in mind, Mr. Speaker, the homeownership program is intended to help residents achieve stability yet many homes are in poor conditions and require costly repairs that low income families cannot afford. What changes will the Minister make to ensure this program supports success instead of setting people up for failure. Thank you.