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 Close to 30 people turned out at a meeting of concerned home owners and tenants held at the Stanley Isaiah Supportive Living home in Fort Simpson on Monday evening. Kim Squires, Larry Campbell and Devin Braun, all representing the Housing Corporation, listen as Rita Cazon tells of her predicament at left. Tom Wilson, right, of the Fort Simpson Seniors Society, chaired the meeting. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo |
Tom Wilson, of the Fort Simpson Seniors Society, suggested that the committee could relay concerns to politicians more effectively.
That was one development from an often tense two-hour meeting with officials from the Housing Corporation's regional office in Fort Simpson. Homeowner Rita Cazon wants Housing Minister Michael McLeod to come to Fort Simpson.
"I think it's time the community sticks together and says, 'OK, we want something done,'" said Cazon.
She was one of approximately 30 people at the meeting who expressed concerns ranging from shoddy construction, to mould, to mortgage payment policy.
Homes uninhabitable
Resident Marie Lafferty said mould is making some homes uninhabitable.
"If you can't build houses that are up to par, don't charge an exorbitant rate," she told the Housing Corporation staff.
Larry Campbell, who oversees the regional Housing Corporation office, said he only knew of three houses with mould problems in Fort Simpson. Then others at the meeting spoke up to inform him that they too have mould in their homes.
Campbell replied that this was the first time he was hearing about their situations. He added that the Housing Corporation is looking into a new ventilation system that greatly reduces mould spores.
He also noted that his office is seeking to have journeyperson carpenters supervise job sites, something that wasn't required in the past. Negotiated contracts over the past four years, approved by the GNWT's former Cabinet, had also driven prices up, Campbell explained. However, projects are now tendered out.
Wilson noted that the Housing Corporation employees are only enforcing policy that is set in the Legislative Assembly. It's the MLAs and ministers who have to change policy, he said. Pearl Norwegian was one of the residents who railed against the Housing Corporation's practice of charging mortgage payments according to household income. It's a disincentive to work, she argued. "Just because we get a job and everything, they want our money?
"It should be a set rate (for a mortgage)," said Norwegian. "I might as well just quit my job. I'll sit there and watch TV all day."
Campbell replied that the Housing Corporation doesn't charge more than 30 per cent of household income for shelter whereas banks can charge up to 35 per cent.
