PlanIt North supported the K’ásho Got’ı̨nę Housing Society (KGHS) in planning and facilitating a 2-week, community-wide Housing Forum in Fort Good Hope in January. The Forum was an opportunity to discuss successes and challenges in the implementation of the Society’s Strategic Housing Plan.
With PlanIt North’s support, KGHS staff provided updates to community members on current housing projects and sought feedback to inform the Society’s next priorities.
Participants discussed a number of topics over the two days, including:
• KGHS’s repair and maintenance program,
• The Kádúyı́le Men’s Transition Home,
• Plans for the three duplex units arriving this summer,
• Transitional housing for people returning from addictions treatment,
• Pre-apprenticeship trades training program,
• A new building trades training facility for the community, and a new homeownership program.
In advance of the Forum, Hawa Dumbuya-Sesay, Executive Director of YWCA NWT, and PlanIt North supported discussions about a women and children’s Safe Home project in the community. Funded through Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) Canada, YWCA is implementing a pilot Safe Homes project in three NWT communities, and has partnered with Fort Good Hope as one of these communities. This aligns well with KGHS’s Strategic Plan, as developing a continuum of support for women and children is listed as a priority. YWCA is also working with the community to improve short-term options for women experiencing violence in their homes, while KGHS, with support from PlanIt North, is applying for funding for a new, permanent women and children’s safe home.
The Minister responsible for Housing Northwest Territories, Paulie Chinna, visited Fort Good Hope to meet with community leaders, KGHS, and the local housing organization. Facilitated by PlanIt North, the discussion focused on ways that Housing NWT can sustain and strengthen its current support of community housing projects.
