Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (July 26/02) - Dozens of families in Yellowknife will be moving on up now that the NWT Housing Corporation plans to expand its Downpayment Assistance Program in the city.

In a press release, the minister responsible for the housing corporation, Roger Allen, cited housing shortages in Yellowknife as the prime motivation for his plan to provide up to 189 families subsidies ranging from 10 and 40 per cent towards buying their own homes, depending on their income.

The housing corporation plans to begin delivering the program by mid-August and extend it over the next five years.

The program also includes provisions for families wishing to build additions to their homes.

Allen was out of town and unavailable for comment, but public relations advisor Revi Lau-a said the program has never been extended in Yellowknife to this degree before.

Expanded service

"It's always been available in Yellowknife, but the number of programs available has been small," said Lau-a. "It's been more readily available in the smaller communities."

Through its implementation, the housing corporation is also hoping to clear up waiting lists for public housing as families who can afford to buy a home through the Expanded Downpayment Assistance Program move on, freeing up units for lower income families.

The maximum household income allowed for families taking part in the program is $79,000. The ceiling for purchase price or for construction costs under the program is $180,000.

For repairs or expansions, the housing corporation is willing to pay a maximum of $67,500.

Bridging the financial gap

"The objectives are mainly to bridge the self-sufficient home buyer that's basically just missing a little bit in his downpayment that might be able to (purchase with the program)," said Lau-a. "We're trying to fill that niche."

Reaction to news of the expanded subsidy appears to be largely favourable.

Homelessness Coalition chair Major Karen Hoeft, of the Salvation Army, said it will not solve all of the city's housing needs but it is a start.

"The Expanded Downpayment Assistance Program, from the point of view of homelessness, will actually do great things for the community," said Hoeft.

"Hopefully it will help those who have gone through the system get out of the system, so those that need to be in the system can get into it."

Range Lake MLA Sandy Lee said expanding the program is a good idea, although it doesn't address Yellowknife's need for more housing.

"That can only be addressed by more places being built," said Lee. "A lot is going on in that area, it's just not coming soon enough."