Brent Reaney
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 08/05) - A Yellowknife MLA says a territorial housing program should be helping more Yellowknifers.

The expanded Downpayment Assistance Program was implemented in 1998 as a way to get people out of public housing and into home ownership. Since then, it has given out about $24 million to 570 approved applicants NWT-wide, said NWT Housing Corp. president Fred Koe.

Within the past two years in Yellowknife, just 44 individuals shared a little more than $1 million.

Only 14 Yk residents were helped by the program last year and of those, six received more than $50,000 each. One applicant was granted $71,960 by the NWT Housing Corp.

Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins says the program isn't helping enough people to be considered a success.

He knows of people who can't qualify for assistance and others who say they were approved, but received nothing because the budget had run out.

"I think the money could have been spread out more fairly," said Hawkins, who still thinks the program itself is a good idea.

To qualify, applicants must have lived in the NWT longer than five years and spend more than 30 per cent of their gross household income on rent.

Public housing tenants are given top priority, followed by those on the wait-list. The program was expanded in 2001, allowing those renting privately to apply.

"We're trying to meet all the demands. I know (the funds are) limited," said Koe. "As a manager, I'm comfortable with the program."

Real estate agent Kay Da Cort said she has seen dozens of people helped by the program.

"I've just finished selling to three single moms who wouldn't have housing otherwise," she said.