N.W.T. Housing Corp. changes to require once-a-year income checks

Observers say newly-announced changes to the way the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation calculates people's rents will keep more money in renters' pockets.

On Monday, Robert C. McLeod, the minister in charge of the housing corporation, said the corporation will no longer consider Canada Child Tax Benefit payments or payments to foster parents as sources of income. The change will help lower the rent paid by public housing tenants.

"The Child Tax Benefit is worth $2,000 or $3,000 a year. That money is now in their pockets," said Julie Green, a volunteer with the No Place For Poverty coalition.

"A family of 4 with $75,000 worth of income a year would keep $1,200 a year from [the Universal Child Care Benefit], which would put extra $100 a month in their food budget — an increase of 10 per cent," Green clarified.

Under another change, renters will only have to report their income once a year, instead of every month.

Green called the current monthly reporting process "onerous."

"Let's say you're paying $300 a month, and you forget to report, and they charge you the full rent — which is $1,600 for that month — obviously it leaves you in a very difficult position. So it's a good change." 

Lydia Bardak, executive director of the John Howard Society's N.W.T. Chapter, who was in the gallery of the legislative assembly when the announcement was made, spontaneously clapped at the news then quickly checked herself.

"There was a little applause...even though, in the gallery, that's not appropriate behaviour," she said.

Bardak said the fewer pressures on those who are struggling financially, the better.

"When you don't have stable housing, when you're worried from month to month that you might be out of your housing, all of your energy goes into that and you haven't got energy for the other things that you need to do.

"Thank goodness we're finally doing something."

McLeod said the changes should be fully in effect by Oct. 1.