Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Fort Simpson (May 27/05) - The NWT Housing Corporation is in the midst of sweeping changes and is striving to meet growing needs despite a shrinking budget.

That was the word from Fred Koe, president of the crown corporation, who visited Fort Simpson on May 20.

"We're trying to be responsive... it's slow," Koe acknowledged. "We want to do lots, but our budget restricts us in what we can do."

The corporation's budget for 2005 is $100 million, according to Koe. The Nahendeh region's share of that is $1.5 million, noted Larry Campbell, who oversees the five Nahendeh communities for the department.

Koe said the Housing Corp. is consolidating many of its numerous programs. Those relating to public housing will be turned over to the Department of Education, Culture and Education by March 2006, he said. They will then be administered in association with the income support program, he explained.

At a meeting in the Stanley Isaiah Supportive Living Home, Fort Simpson resident Cheryl Cli urged Koe to have the Housing Corp. cover costs incurred by families who help care for seniors.

For example, she said the government should have funding for building additions onto elders' private homes so family members can reside with them.

'Not fair to the seniors'

"I think it's kind of not fair to the seniors to be shoved into a seniors home rather than have their family take care of them," Cli said.

Tom Wilson, of the Fort Simpson Seniors Society, argued that seniors who can't remain independent by having family members present will be moved into seniors homes and cost the government more money.

Kim Squires, of the Housing Corporation, replied that social services should pick up some of the responsibility in such cases.

Koe added that in most instances it's the individual circumstances that determine the level of assistance available.

On the issue of fixing homes, a primary reason that people don't get the repairs they need is because they don't apply, said Nahendeh MLA Kevin Menicoche, who was also present at the meeting.

Rita Cazon, the Deh Cho representative for the NWT Council of Persons with Disabilities, spoke of the need for ramps, grab bars and accessible bath tubs in houses for the disabled.

Koe responded that the Housing Corp. is working with the council. He recommended that the local committee should nonetheless remain persistent to effect change.

"You've got to keep pushing, put the pressure on," he said.