N.W.T. gov't dissolves Fort Resolution's housing authority board, orders independent review

The N.W.T. government has dissolved the board for the Fort Resolution Housing Authority, appointed an administrator in its stead and ordered an independent review of the board's decision-making.

In a news release Friday, the government described this as an "exceptional measure" due to operational challenges at the housing authority. Housing N.W.T. Minister Lucy Kuptana is quoted in the release saying the decision "was not made lightly."

"Our priority is, and will always be, the well-being of residents," Kuptana stated.

Housing N.W.T. declined an interview Friday.

The government has not said what the operational challenges entail.

The government named Darlene Berthier as the administrator. It said Berthier has a long career as an auditor and has experience doing governance and policy reviews. She will be responsible for overseeing the management of the housing authority, ensuring Housing N.W.T.'s policies and procedures are followed, and helping a company that has been retained to independently review the housing authority board's decision-making.

"The [territorial government] made every effort to work collaboratively with the Fort Resolution Housing Authority to address areas of concern," the news release stated. "The decision to place it under Administration became necessary to protect housing services and ensure stability."

It said tenants shouldn't experience service interruptions during the transition, and the South Slave district office would be providing support for tenants.

Berthier will be the administrator until the territory decides that the housing authority's issues have been resolved.

This isn't the first time the territory has dissolved a public body and appointed an administrator instead. The hamlet itself remains under administration following the N.W.T. government's decision to replace the local council with an administrator due to financial issues.