Housing Priority - Homelessness Prevention

The Standing Committee on Social Development agreed upon Housing as its priority concern. The Committee knows that many residents are struggling to find safe and affordable housing. As a result, some families are living in overcrowded homes and some are facing homelessness. 

The Committee is now focusing specifically on homelessness prevention. Homelessness prevention means providing those who are or have been homeless the resources and supports they need to stabilize their housing and reduce the likelihood of becoming homeless in the future. While homelessness prevention targets those who may be experiencing homelessness, it supports all people and communities because the focus is on creating safe and affordable housing throughout the Territory.

What’s been done so far?

Committee presented the Report on Housing Phase One: Needs for the NWT Homeowners and Private Landlords on June 2, 2021. The report contained 12 recommendations for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation and other GNWT department to address assistance for homeowners and landlords, collaboration with Indigenous Governments, NGOs, and the private sector, increasing housing stock and the removal of policy barriers.

What is next?

Committee’s next phase is to explore social housing and homelessness.

The result from Phase Two of the Housing Review will be a Committee Report containing recommendations for Housing Northwest Territories (formerly NWT Housing Corporation), which is scheduled to be released in Fall 2022. The Committee is focused on making recommendations on the kinds of policies, practices and interventions needed to increase safe and affordable housing, improving the maintenance and conditions of current housing and developing innovative housing solutions that are needed in the Territory.

Public Engagement

Survey

To inform its upcoming report, the Committee has an online survey on Housing in the NWT. Participants can choose to include their name or community information, or to fill out the survey anonymously. Click here to go to the Survey on Housing in the NWT.

Consultation

Committee will engage public housing tenants, social housing providers, landlords and other stakeholders to understand current challenges and barriers.

If you would like to ensure your issues and ideas are heard by the Committee, contact them at Committees@ntassembly.ca to coordinate a virtual or in-person hearing.

Child and Family Services Act Review

The Standing Committee on Social Development released its report “Lifting NWT Children, Youth and Families: An All of Territory Approach to Keeping Families Together” on March 29, 2022. This report is the final product of its review of the Child and Family Services Act. It resulted in 19 recommendations to the GNWT. The main finding is that a whole of government approach must be used to mobilize system supports to keep families together starting from pregnancy. More information, including a visual summary of the report, can be found at ntassembly.ca/keepingfamiliestogether.

Public business in the Winter 2022 Sitting included:

Clause-by-Clause Review, Bill 38: Miscellaneous Statue Law Amendment Act 2021, Minister of Justice (February 3, 2022)

Technical Briefing, Department of Education, Culture and Employment on Bill 39: An Act to Amend the Post-secondary Education Act (February 16, 2022)

Clause-by-Clause Review, Bill 41: Justice Administration Statutes Amendment Act, Minister of Justice (March 24, 2022)

Clause-by-Clause Review, Bill 39: An Act to Amend the Post-Secondary Education Act, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment (March 24, 2022)

Briefing, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Early Learning and Child Care in the NWT (March 7, 2022)

Correspondence:

Food Security in the NWT: A Coordinated and Strategic Approach from Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (February 25, 2022) 

Update on the GNWT’s MMIWG Draft Action Plan, Minister Responsible for the Status of Women (February 28, 2022)