SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Former city councillor Paul Falvo is raising the alarm over empty houses in the downtown core and the need to utilize them for young families searching for affordable homes.

At least two empty houses at the bottom of Toboggan Hill on 55 Street have former city councillor Paul Falvo concerned that space is being wasted in the downtown core. Falvo calls for the city to look into buying the lots from the owners and selling them to families who need them. - Simon Whitehouse/NNSL photo

Falvo raised the issue on his Facebook page, stating that at least two empty houses that he has seen near Toboggan Hill would be better utilized if the city took them over, sold them for revenue and provided needy families with decent housing. The houses are located at 5110 and 5112 55 Street.

“I walk by them everyday and I used to notice them while I was campaigning as I would go to put leaflets on the houses and then realize that they're empty,” he said. “It always struck me as being a waste when we know that there are people looking for housing and we are paying money to heat them. The brown paint on them probably doesn't add to any property value either.”

The two properties are owned by the federal government, according to the NWT land title registry. Falvo says it is a bit strange that the homes are not being used to house federal staff. Rather than have property underutilized and losing upkeep and value, it would be better if they were made available to families in need of housing, he said.

He suggested that the city find a way to discourage the under-use of property in the downtown core, including raising the tax rate on those properties, if possible.

Sandra Turner, a corporate representative for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, said it isn't rare for there to be empty houses in the downtown core, but the corporation doesn't monitor federal staff housing. Houses by Boston Pizza on 48 Street where the city's eco-housing project is supposed to be located, as well as an old shack by Javaroma at 5002 53 Street, are two other examples where there are empty lots not being developed. She said there are positive signs in town where private companies are finding incentives to develop underutilized properties and provide housing. She named as an example Granite Ventures, an endeavour by Greg Littlefair and Niels Konge where old lots are being redeveloped in the downtown core. The company is currently working on developing a seniors' complex on Frankin Avenue.

“It might be for a concern for neighbours with houses being empty but that is something the market pretty much takes care of on its own,” said Turner.

“People will see an opportunity and purchase it if it is a viable option, especially if there are no other lots that are available that are decently priced. If all developers have is Niven that is available, then they will start looking elsewhere and that gives them an opportunity to develop downtown.”

Officials with Public Works and Government Services Canada could not be reached for comment by press time.