Yukon government announces new housing plan

The Yukon government unveiled a new housing plan Friday.

Members of the Yukon Housing Corporation as well as stakeholders from across the territory were in attendance for the unveiling. The government is committing $240,000, per year, for two years to put the plan into action.

Implementation of the plan is something the minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation promises to see through. Stacey Hassard says the plan is only a pretty piece of paper unless it's seen through.

"I honestly don't believe that this is something that will sit on a shelf somewhere to collect dust, like so many others," he said. "I believe the commitment is there from the government, as well as the people to move forward and see this plan, bloom into something great, I guess," he said. 

Nelson Lepine, the Director of Infrastructure for the Carcross Tagish First Nation, is cautiously optimistic.

"We sort of heard this stuff before in the past, and nothing has materialized," he said."And so, I'm hoping it doesn't get shelved. Yukon Housing Corporation and the territorial government seem to have their heart in the right place, but I think time will tell."

The housing corporation says a team will be formed to make sure the plan comes to life and that stakeholders on that team can hold the corporation to account.

"People want to see some more concrete actions," said Bill Thomas, chair of the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition. "I agree with them, we have to get to the action part, and do it in a more systematic and empathic way."

The housing plan addresses accessibility, social housing, rental units, shelters and home ownership. There is an implementation group that is being formed that will put the plan into action.

More than 50 groups from across the territory gave input to the plan.