Yellowknife (Sep 13/06) - Tenants of a downtown six-plex are upset that they're being kicked out of their homes to make way for subsidized housing clients of the government-run North Slave Housing Corporation.

Tim Noble, a resident of the 44th Street complex since Feb. 2005, received a letter Sept. 5 informing him, his wife and their newborn baby of the news.

"Right before Christmas to have to lay down $3000 for first and last (month's rent) is going to be difficult," said Noble.

He has since applied to qualify for low-income housing. "We have a newborn, my wife is on maternity leave and I'm working two jobs as it is to make ends meet."

Noble, whose two-bedroom apartment at the six-plex costs $1260 per month and includes heat and water, said it's ironic that to address low-income housing needs, the government is creating more need in that very area.

Renda Coe, acting manager for North Slave Housing Corporation, said she understands the difficulties current tenants could face. She noted the corporation would not force people into the streets.

"The door was left open for them to stay if they don't find another place (within 90 days)," said Coe. "There's no way we'd tell someone to move out without a place. It would've been nice if everyone there qualified for this program but the housing is for low income families."

The housing corporation - an arms' length agency of the territorial government - bought the six-plex from Barren Holdings on Aug. 14, 2006.

Funding for the low-income-housing plan, dubbed the Urban Native Subsidized Housing Program, comes from Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and is channeled through NWT Housing Corp.

Yellowknifer calls to David Krutko, minister responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation, were referred to Jeff Anderson, chief financial officer with the housing corporation.

"What's happened is the North Slave has been selling off their detached housing to take advantage of energy efficiencies in multi-unit housing," said Anderson. "Unfortunately, the previous landlord never communicated any information (of the sale) to the tenants."

Anderson added that the housing corporation was in the process of building additional senior units and an eight-plex for families with disabilities.

"Probably you'll find (the Barren Holdings) tenants will be able to move in that (90 day) time frame," said Anderson.