SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - MLA's joined forces on Thursday to hammer cabinet on the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation's policies.

The full day of questioning on housing policies culminated with the members passing a motion recommending the housing corporation "change its program guidelines to provide responsive and meaningful flexibility " and allow for a transition period between a rise in household income and rise in rental rates.

The motion called for the GNWT to respond within 120 days.

Jackie Jacobson had pointed out to the assembly that current housing policies discourage some from working by raising fees as soon as a client's income increases.

The Nunakput MLA cited as evidence that the maximum rent in Sachs Harbour for a three bedroom house is $3,000 monthly, utilities extra.

"I don't know how this NWT Housing Corporation comes up with so-called economic rent for Sachs Harbour and the communities, but fairness and affordability don't seem to have anything to do with it," said Jacobson. "People get a new job and this kind of rent does not pay."

Maximum rates differ between communities

For his part Mackenzie Delta MLA David Krutko raised concerns with different maximum rental rates between communities. He said the maximum rent for a five-bedroom housing unit in Tsiigehtchic is $3,700 monthly while the maximum rate for a similar unit half an hour away in Fort McPherson is $2,500.

Common sense approach needed

Tu Nedhe MLA Tom Beaulieu, meanwhile, called for a "common sense approach" to housing.

"The communities do not understand why a senior on a fixed income well below $20,000 per year lives in a unit that's deteriorating every year and the NWT Housing Corporation advises them there is no money, yet they see $300,000 homes the Housing Corporation has built sitting empty for years," said Beaulieu.

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