Nunavut will see improved homeowners’ assistance program: minister

Some Nunavummiut say there are too many obstacles in trying to access the territory’s homeowners’ assistance program. (PHOTO BY SARAH ROGERS)

Fred Schell, the Nunavut minister responsible for the Nunavut Housing Corp., says the agency will look at revamping its homeowners’ assistance program.

Nunavut’s Down Payment Assistance Program provides forgivable loans of between $30,000 and $75,000 to Nunavummiut to make a down payment on an existing home, or to construct a new one.

But Schell admits that applying to the program requires a lot of paper work and its funds are limited.

The housing corporation only approved 25 applications last year, he said.

“We realize that it’s a problem,” Schell said in the Nunavut legislature March 5. “And we’re seriously looking at changing the whole program.”

Schell was responding to questions from Pangnirtung MLA Hezakiah Oshutapik, who said his constituents continue to run into obstacles when trying to access that and other housing assistance programs offered through the housing corporation.

“As people start using the program, they run into a lot of obstacles and barriers,” Oshutapik said. “Especially when their home is suffering maintenance issues or from the need of repairs.”

Oshutapik also pointed to the housing corporation’s fuel tank replacement program, which requires that a homeowner have insurance to be eligible.

“Some of these people, especially the elders, are having a very hard time trying to make ends meet and pay all of their bills,” he said. “This affects their credit worthiness. Insurance is one of the biggest obstacles.”

The Oil Tank Replacement Program sees up to 100 applications a year for funding up to $5,000 each. That program is set to run until 2016.

Schell also pointed to the housing corporation’s home renovation program, which provides first-time users with up to $65,000 to repair and upgrade their homes.

“I realize that there’s an issue with insurance,” Schell said. “We’re trying to figure out a way of possibly rolling it into the mortgage in order to make sure that the homeowners do have insurance.”

“We do realize that the only way we are going to get more tenants into public housing is by getting some of these people who can afford to get out of public housing into their homes,” he added. “We have to give better incentives other than just a down payment.”