Hay River (Sep 25/06) - Twenty-six per cent of NWT seniors are in need of new housing, according to the NWT Housing Corp.

Jeff Polakoff, housing corp. president, released the statistic during a public information session held in advance of the NWT Seniors' Society annual general meeting, Sept. 21 in Hay River.

David Krutko, minister responsible for housing, and NWT Housing Corporation president Jeff Polakoff on hand to hear the seniors' housing concerns. - Paul Bickford/NNSl photo

Polakoff said there are 2,128 households in the NWT with at least one senior citizen, a person over 65 years of age. Of those households, 553 need new housing.

"The need for seniors housing is very significant in the NWT," Polakoff said.

That statement was echoed by 40 seniors, from around the NWT, who raised a host of issues regarding housing and housing programs during the meeting.

Also on hand to hear the seniors' concerns was David Krutko, the minister responsible for housing.

Better off divorced

Anne Leskiw, of Enterprise, said she gets irritated that some assistance programs for senior homeowners are not available if they have a certain amount of assets.

Tom Wilson, of Fort Simpson, said the income rules for assistance programs mean elderly couples would be better off getting divorced. That way, they would qualify for more assistance if their household income falls below a certain level.

"For some people, if they don't divorce, they're eligible for nothing," he said, adding the system doesn't make any sense.

Krutko said the territorial government spends $100 million on various subsidies.

"The whole idea of income testing is we only have so many dollars to go around," Krutko explained.

Eliza Greenland, of Aklavik, expressed surprise at the number of assistance programs for senior homeowners listed in a brochure handed out at the meeting.

"It just amazes me that there are all these programs, but we are not aware of them," she said.

Greenland added many more older people should get the benefits, which include a forgivable loan of up to $20,000 to repair or improve homes and an $875 annual grant for maintenance checks and minor repairs.

Laura Lennie, of Tulita, noted communications with some elders is difficult because many do not know how to read, or may speak little English.

"It's very hard in the small communities," she said.

Terry Villeneuve, of Fort Resolution, noted seniors also want to speak to a human being, not an answering machine, when seeking help by telephone. "If there isn't a voice, they're going to hang up and there goes the application."

Krutko said government can help communities hire liaison people to explain programs and assist people in accessing them.

Hay River Mayor Diana Ehman asked if the government is considering charging rent to seniors, who can now live for free in public housing.

Polakoff said the issue is being looked at by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment, but no decision has been made and he couldn't say when, or if, things might change.

"There hasn't been any timeline identified," he said. "We're working our way through."

The government is moving from 15 home ownership programs to four main areas to simplify the delivery of services, according to Polakoff.

"Seniors will be eligible for all home ownership programs," he said, adding the changes will be launched this fall.