Changes to Housing Repair Program Policies for Seniors
Publication Date
News Release
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is committed to providing effective and considerate programming that meets the needs of seniors. Today Paulie Chinna, the Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC) is pleased to announce amendments to the housing repair programming policies for seniors. These amendments remove the requirement for home insurance, formal land tenure, and only assess the incomes of seniors who own their homes.
The 19th Legislative Assembly identified increasing supports for seniors to stay in their homes and communities as a key priority for this government. The GNWT has amended NWTHC policies to support more seniors in accessing housing supports to age-in place.
In the past, assessments included the incomes of all income earners in the household. Under these changes, the assessment of household income will only consider the income of the applicant and co-applicant.
The GNWT recognizes that in rural and remote communities, it can be challenging to get home insurance and land tenure. Effective immediately, seniors and all residents of smaller communities, will no longer be required to have home insurance or land tenure in order to access NWTHC home repair programs. However, the NWTHC will continue to counsel program participants in obtaining home insurance and land tenure to ensure the security of their homes.
Residents of Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, Hay River, Inuvik, Norman Wells and Yellowknife will still be required to have insurance and land tenure when accessing the major repair stream of the Contributing Assistance for Repairs and Enhancements program (CARE Major).
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“Programming for seniors is an utmost priority for this government, we are always looking at ways to improve our programs and make them more accessible to residents of the NWT. These changes will put an end to situations where seniors cannot access assistance for repairs in smaller communities and allow them to remain in their homes and communities, where they are surrounded by the support of their families and friends.”
- Paulie Chinna, Minister responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation and Addressing Homelessness