Modular homes questioned
Nahendeh MLA sees dollars leaving
Deh Cho with possible purchase
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, March 17, 2016
DEH CHO
In response to a push from the NWT Housing Corporation to import modular homes to communities across the territory, Nahendeh MLA Shane Thompson is reaching out to local leaders for feedback on the situation.
Nahendeh MLA Shane Thompson is gathering feedback from across the region on modular homes. - April Hudson/NNSL photo
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Speaking in the legislative assembly on March 3, Thompson joined Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh MLA Tom Beaulieu in coming out against the government's use of modular homes.
"I think the Housing Corporation seems to miss the big picture. If we put people in homes, that's great, but if they don't have economy and they don't have income to support these homes, we're in trouble," he said.
"I guess I struggle because these modular homes are not being built in the Northwest Territories. They are being brought in from down south and put into our communities ... These companies come in, drop the modular homes down. They bring their own food, their own gas and their own accommodation. We don't even see any economy here."
Thompson made an appearance to Fort Simpson's council on March 14 seeking input on modular homes. Speaking with the Deh Cho Drum after that discussion, Thompson said he has community visits planned elsewhere in the Nahendeh to get wider feedback.
"This topic came up as an issue during my campaign ... I've heard from a number of communities that modular homes are not what they want," he said.
"It saves the government money but do they take into account the loss of income support ... and challenge to the trades? Trades don't stay around, and that impacts communities," he said.
The alternative to imported modular homes is local stick-built constructs.
Northwest Territories Housing Corporation minister Caroline Cochrane said on March 3 the government saves 30 per cent by importing modular homes.
Issue comes in wake of RCMP housing need
On Feb. 29, the territorial government said they would be taking over responsibility for housing RCMP in Norman Wells, Inuvik, Fort Smith, Hay River and Fort Simpson.
Cochrane said the Housing Corporation is prioritizing communities with a lack of landlords, where there are no houses on the market for RCMP members.
In regard to the federal government's current housing units for RCMP, Cochrane said those will be put on the market.
"At this point, the federal government is saying that they're beyond repair for them to make them financially viable," she said.
"If they are not taken up by the market within the communities, then they'll send them to negotiations with the Housing Corporation."
Thompson said Fort Simpson will see seven homes built here for RCMP members, courtesy of the Housing Corporation.
Although community members will have the first opportunity to purchase current homes, Thompson said those not bought will be demolished and the government will pay for the land.
"That land will then be used for housing projects through the Housing Corporation," he said.
Cochrane said the money put toward RCMP housing will not take away from social housing.
