Thank you. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the housing Minister.
Can the Minister explain why the STEP program was discontinued and whether Housing NWT is prepared to reinstate as part of its supports for prospective and current homeowners? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Dehcho. Minister responsible for Housing NWT.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I feel like Minister Semmler today. I am going to have some water.
So related to the question -- thank you to the Member for the question -- solutions to educate people, which was the STEP program, was discontinued in 2023. It was a requirement to complete prior to accessing homeownership programs. STEP was discontinued because some of the modules were outdated and resources are now available online, such as budgeting and home purchase information. The home maintenance module was also part of the program but was determined to be a barrier to access programs as there are many capacity constraints and delivery challenges in remote communities. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you. And thank you to the Minister for that. What were the barriers to the program that the Minister mentioned? Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I think with the STEP program that what we're doing now is we're offering this online, so it's available throughout the Northwest Territories online.
In terms of capacity constraints though, with our program officers they're finding overwhelming need, especially with the applications in our different various home repair/homeownership programs, that there's a number of applications coming in because the need for housing is so great in the Northwest Territories that that's one of the barriers, Mr. Speaker. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister responsible for Housing NWT. Final supplementary. Member from the Dehcho.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. And if the Minister is considering options to improve homeownership, education, and counselling, will she commit to working with Indigenous governments, local housing offices, and community educators, to ensure any future programming is accessible, culturally grounded, and reflective of northern realities? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. At this time, Housing NWT is focused on reviewing its homeownership programs to ensure its effectiveness. Once these programs have been reviewed, Housing NWT will evaluate what education tools may be needed to support the program's and clients' success. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister responsible for Housing NWT. Oral questions. Member from the Sahtu.
I already asked my electronic questions. Thank you.
Thank you, Member from the Sahtu. Good use of that electronic system.
Oral questions. Member from Monfwi.
