Latest news with #LucyKuptana
CBC
21-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
50-unit public housing complex in Yellowknife takes next step
Housing officials formally broke ground on a future public housing building Tuesday. The building, set to go up on empty lots on 50th Street between the Raven Pub and the Gold Range Bistro, is expected to bring 50 public housing units to Yellowknife's downtown area by fall of 2026. It's expected to include 25 barrier-free bachelor suites for single people and seniors, and 25 two-bedroom units for small families. It'll also provide office space for Housing N.W.T.'s North Slave district office and the Yellowknife Housing Authority. At a ceremony Tuesday, Housing Minister Lucy Kuptana described the project as "the beginning of new opportunities, new stability and a new hope" for people in Yellowknife who need homes. "We know that housing is one of the most pressing challenges facing the Northwest Territories," Kuptana said, noting the current housing waitlist through the Yellowknife Housing Authority has more than 300 families on it. "We also know that when people [have a] safe, affordable place to call home, everything else becomes more possible." The project, originally announced in 2023 by then-prime minister Justin Trudeau, comes at a cost of $20.8 million, funded through the federal government's rapid housing initiative. The land, worth $825,000, was provided by the City of Yellowknife, and the territorial government is expected to subsidize operating costs. The city issued a development permit for the building's construction last October. At the time, it said foundation work would begin in the spring. In a news release Tuesday, the territorial government said "substantial construction work" is set to begin shortly on the building. It also pointed to plans for sustainable design, including biomass heating and mass timber construction — light, load-bearing wood that's engineered for high strength.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Lack of rent control in N.W.T. to be reassessed this year, minister says
Northwest Territories ministers have responded to criticism over recent big rent increases of hundreds of dollars for some Housing N.W.T. owned units. Last month, rent increase notices were sent out to residents who rent market-rate units from Housing N.W.T. Housing N.W.T. has said they wanted to better match unit rent rates with territorial averages. However since there haven't been rent increases to their market units since 2012, residents will see their rent go up anywhere from around $300 to over $700. The market-rate units in small communities are typically occupied by essential workers such as teachers and healthcare workers or community members. Housing Minister Lucy Kuptana said increasing the rents was a "tough but necessary decision" in a statement to CBC. She said the adjustment was crucial to maintain fairness in the housing market, and the additional revenue is needed because of declining federal support. "No one wants to increase rental rates, but with increasing cost and decreasing operating funding, we needed to make this hard decision so that we can continue to offer housing programs. Heating costs are included, along with maintenance and repairs," the statement reads. Justice Minister Jay Macdonald wrote in a statement that the territory has also explored implementing some form of rent control in the past, and will soon be revisiting those discussions. "Given the issues raised by the Rental Office and other stakeholders, the Department of Justice has committed to a new, thorough review of the [Residential Tenancies] Act, in 2025," wrote MacDonald. "The issue of rent control will be re-evaluated as part of this review, ensuring that we address current challenges and consider all perspectives." Many of Canada's provinces and the Yukon have some form of rent increase caps, but the N.W.T. does not. MacDonald said the government looked into rent cap measures a few years ago, during the 17th Legislative Assembly, when they did a review of the Residential Tenancy Act. But they ultimately decided against them. "[That] decision was based on research, experiences in other jurisdictions, and the unique housing situation in the N.W.T.," wrote MacDonald. Rent increase limits typically apply to all landlords in a jurisdiction, and would likely apply to Housing N.W.T. as well as private landlords. Kuptana concluded her statement by saying that other supports are currently of the supports she mentioned was the Canada-NWT Housing Benefit, which can provide up to $800 a month for eligible residents who pay over 30 per cent of their gross income in rent. "This benefit is here to support people who may be affected by the recent rent change. If you think you might qualify, I encourage you to apply or reach out to the Housing N.W.T. team for more information."
CBC
06-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Lack of rent control in N.W.T. to be reassessed this year, minister says
Northwest Territories ministers have responded to criticism over recent big rent increases of hundreds of dollars for some Housing N.W.T. owned units. Last month, rent increase notices were sent out to residents who rent market-rate units from Housing N.W.T. Housing N.W.T. has said they wanted to better match unit rent rates with territorial averages. However since there haven't been rent increases to their market units since 2012, residents will see their rent go up anywhere from around $300 to over $700. The market-rate units in small communities are typically occupied by essential workers such as teachers and healthcare workers or community members. Housing Minister Lucy Kuptana said increasing the rents was a "tough but necessary decision" in a statement to CBC. She said the adjustment was crucial to maintain fairness in the housing market, and the additional revenue is needed because of declining federal support. "No one wants to increase rental rates, but with increasing cost and decreasing operating funding, we needed to make this hard decision so that we can continue to offer housing programs. Heating costs are included, along with maintenance and repairs," the statement reads. Justice Minister Jay Macdonald wrote in a statement that the territory has also explored implementing some form of rent control in the past, and will soon be revisiting those discussions. "Given the issues raised by the Rental Office and other stakeholders, the Department of Justice has committed to a new, thorough review of the [Residential Tenancies] Act, in 2025," wrote MacDonald. "The issue of rent control will be re-evaluated as part of this review, ensuring that we address current challenges and consider all perspectives." Many of Canada's provinces and the Yukon have some form of rent increase caps, but the N.W.T. does not. MacDonald said the government looked into rent cap measures a few years ago, during the 17th Legislative Assembly, when they did a review of the Residential Tenancy Act. But they ultimately decided against them. "[That] decision was based on research, experiences in other jurisdictions, and the unique housing situation in the N.W.T.," wrote MacDonald. Rent increase limits typically apply to all landlords in a jurisdiction, and would likely apply to Housing N.W.T. as well as private landlords. Kuptana concluded her statement by saying that other supports are currently of the supports she mentioned was the Canada-NWT Housing Benefit, which can provide up to $800 a month for eligible residents who pay over 30 per cent of their gross income in rent. "This benefit is here to support people who may be affected by the recent rent change. If you think you might qualify, I encourage you to apply or reach out to the Housing N.W.T. team for more information."
CBC
14-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
N.W.T. budget passes with $41.6M addition to housing
N.W.T. ministers and regular members are crediting the consensus process for a boost in housing money in the 2025/26 operating budget. The budget passed Thursday in a 15-3 vote. It's a $2.5-billion plan with a $41.6-million boost for investment in public housing. "This is probably the single biggest budgetary change, that I'm certainly aware of, ever being made, but we're proud of it," Finance Minister Caroline Wawzonek said in the legislature. "It's one that does reflect the priorities of the assembly and I thank my colleagues for getting us here." The new $41.6-million investment, together with funds already in Housing NWT's capital plan, is a sum of $50 million to build, modernize and replace public housing units. The territorial government also committed to an annual $50 million housing investment over the next two budgets. The government had previously committed to this funding during capital budget discussions last fall. "These homes will change lives and this investment means that more N.W.T. families will have a safe and comfortable place to call home," Housing Minister Lucy Kuptana told reporters in a news conference after Thursday's session. She said that each region would see the benefits of that investment, but couldn't yet say specifically what each community would receive. Three members opposed the budget: Robert Hawkins, Kieron Testart and Richard Edjericon. "I don't feel like we negotiate, I feel like 'what are you going to let us have?'" Hawkins said in the legislature. He said the investment barely makes a dent in the housing needs in the territory. "I don't think it's going to change anything." Testart also thought there should be more money toward housing, and more resources for the RCMP. The three opposing members have pitched the idea of voting with all regular MLAs as a block, though other members haven't committed to that. Community learning centres, Arctic defence Other members spoke about the collaborative process that led to the additional housing investment. Denny Rodgers, chair of the Accountability and Oversight Committee of all regular members, said the budget reflects input from all 19 members. "Whether you thought the budget went far enough or not, you certainly had the chance to contribute," he said. Rodgers said the investment will help get residents into homes and will also creates work across the territory. On top of the housing investment, the territory also restored $100,000 for in-person training and meetings for family violence shelters and committed to developing a forgiveness program for elders in public housing who are in arrears. Minister Wawzonek said solutions for the closure of Aurora College's community learning centres and plans around Arctic defence sovereignty were also significant issues brought up in budget discussions. She said the government will have a strategy ready for the assembly's next sitting in May. Yellowknife MLA Kate Reid said the budget is proof that cabinet is listening, even if it can seem slow going. "We are spending on core social needs for the benefit of our residents, which is something we talk about every single day in this house, and I am glad that we are making notable progress," Reid said.
CBC
11-03-2025
- Health
- CBC
5-bedroom transitional home opens in Yellowknife for people back from addictions treatment
Social Sharing A five-bedroom home in Yellowknife will host a new transitional housing program for people returning from addictions treatment. On Monday afternoon, the territorial government, City of Yellowknife and Salvation Army unveiled the home — the first of its kind for the Transitional Housing for Addictions Recovery Program (THARP). The program came about as an effort to close a gap in aftercare services for people returning from treatment. "We are not just opening a building. We are opening up a new chapter of hope and healing," said Lucy Kuptana, the N.W.T.'s housing minister. Laughter — and perhaps a poignant moment — rose as a fierce wind attempted to blow down signs for the housing announcement behind her. "That's what we need to do throughout the North, is stabilize housing," she said with a chuckle, steadying the signs. Billed as the first program of its kind in the N.W.T. and located in a residential neighbourhood, the home will have staff with training in addictions treatment on-site 24 hours a day. Health and Social Services Minister Lesa Semmler said it would provide "stable, sober housing" for residents. Semmler said her department would be working closely with the Salvation Army, which will run the residence and deliver programming. Tony Brushett, the Salvation Army's executive director, said the hope is that the program will help people who don't have stable housing. The organization is hoping to start welcoming residents in April. He said in the past, the Salvation Army has been able to help people go south for longer treatment programs — but there was little support when they returned. "They would quite often finish those programs and get dropped right in front of the shelter they came from, which was the epicentre of where their problems were," he said. The home was purchased and renovated with $1.3 million in federal money, applied for by the N.W.T. government through Yellowknife's partnership with the federal Reaching Home strategy. A similar transitional housing project is expected to open in Inuvik later this year.
