Entire housing board quits in Tulita, N.W.T.

All five directors of the public housing board in Tulita have resigned, forcing the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation to take over operations of the local housing association.

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The Tulita Housing Association is the front line for housing services in the community of about 500 people.

Ione Astle, manager of housing programs and district operations with the N.W.T. Housing Corporation, said the board was frustrated with local staff over proper maintenance and poor record keeping.

"They were very dissatisfied with the performance of the housing association in Tulita. They felt by resigning that they would be allowing the housing corporation to step in and assume a greater role and oversight," Astle said.

Astlesaid the corporation is developing a work plan with local staff to fix problems identified by the board.

"It's going to take some work," said Astle.

"I think by identifying a lot of the stuff and sort of focusing our attention on it, is a good first step."

Astlesaid the corporation's major focus is to ensure residents of Tulita receive the best possible quality of service. She is hopeful to have a new board elected by June of2017.

The former chair of the Tulita housing board declined to comment.