FORT SIMPSON - Sharon Allen would like to build a home to suit her six- person family but doesn't think the new program structure for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation will give her the help she needs.

Doris Erasmus, left, acting district director for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, responds to a question at an information session in Fort Simpson on the new housing choices program while Betty Hardisty, a program officer, listens. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Allen, a mother of four, was one of approximately 18 Fort Simpson residents who attended an information session on March 26 on the new program structure called Housing Choices. Many people at the meeting questioned how the new programs would suit their particular needs.

Allen was told that the Housing Corporation builds residences with up to four bedrooms.

"That doesn't help families like me. That's crazy," said Allen, who has two teenagers and two younger children.

Families who need more bedrooms can still build or buy a larger house and receive funding for up to four bedrooms. They will just have to find the remaining funds elsewhere, said Doris Erasmus, the acting district director for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC) who was on hand to answer questions.

Depending on income, applicants can receive as much as $90,000 to help build a new home.

On the whole, clients should find the changes made to the programs beneficial, said Erasmus. The benefits and changes clients will see will differ depending on the program they use, she said.

As part of the changes, the former 14 housing programs have been consolidated to four. These programs now include Solutions to Educate People (STEP), Homeowner Entry Level Program (HELP), Providing Assistance for Territorial Homeownership (PATH) and Contributing Assistance for Repairs and Enhancement (CARE).

The new program structure has been designed to improve access, expand eligibility criteria and broaden access for seniors and persons with disabilities, said Erasmus.

Additional changes are still needed to the programs so they meet the needs of people with disabilities, said Rita Cazon who attended the meeting.

None of the houses currently built in Fort Simpson are fully wheelchair accessible, said Cazon.

"People have got to realize we are citizens like everyone else. Right now in this community we are like third-class citizens," said Cazon referring to people with disabilities.

Cazon also suggested that houses that are built for seniors require foresight because they might develop additional needs that require the use of wheelchairs.

Currently the NWTHC only builds barrier-free homes if clients are already disabled, said Erasmus. She said she would look into the suggestion.

Having an information session on changes was a welcome surprise, said Cazon.

"I just hope you guys keep doing this because it's nice to know what's going on," she said.

Information sessions have also been held in Fort Liard, Trout Lake and Wrigley. By the end of the week Nahanni Butte and Jean Marie River will also be visited.

One of the changes to the program means that the housing corporation will no longer build new structures on properties where land tenure isn't in place, including band lands.

"There are a bunch of people out there now that won't be eligible for housing," said Kevin Allen.

People will still be eligible for the housing programs; they will just have to build on other locations, said Erasmus.

Meetings are being held with the bands in each community to identify new land to build on, Erasmus said.

Eligibility requirements for government housing programs can be found on the NWT Housing Corporation's website.