Gameti gets its own housing office
Kassina Ryder
Northern News Services
Monday, December 14, 2015
GAMETI/RAE LAKES
Gameti now has a housing office after an official ceremony was held in the community on Nov. 5, says the housing corporation's manager of strategic planning.
"We had a celebration within the community," said Revi Lau-a, manager of strategic planning, policy and communications with the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC). Doreen Arrowmaker, who is originally from Gameti, is the manager of the new Local Housing Office.
"It's a lot of challenge," she said. "There is always variety and that's the part I like about this job."
The office will be responsible for the community's 17 public housing units and nine affordable housing units, including repairs and maintenance, said Lau-a. Staff will also be able to provide tenants with information about other NWTHC programs, such as the preventative maintenance and homeowner repair programs, as well as information about homelessness programming, emergency repair options and home purchases.
"We're anticipating the service to local residents will become much more timely and responsive," he said.
Lau-a said because the hiring process hasn't begun, he couldn't confirm whether individuals from Gameti would fill the positions.
But, he said the creation of three new jobs would provide a boost to the community of 250 people.
"For a small community the size of Gameti, this is a very substantive investment in economic development as well," he said.
Judal Dominicata, Gameti's senior administrative officer, said before the office was created, the community government had been responsible for the day-to-day maintenance and repairs on Gameti's housing units. He said having NWTHC staff specifically dedicated to the housing units will ease the burden on the community government.
"This benefits everybody," he said.
Dominicata said he was also pleased Arrowmaker will be managing the office.
"It is also good because the manager is from here, of course," he said.
