Feds give $1M for supportive housing facility in Whitehorse

The federal government has chipped in funding for a new 17-unit supportive housing facility in downtown Whitehorse, across the street from the existing emergency shelter.

Residents moved into the facility at 408 Alexander Street in December. 

The building is owned by the Yukon Housing Corporation and funding for the project came from both the territorial and federal governments. The facility will be operated by the non-profit Safe at Home Society.

"All people in Canada and the Yukon deserve access to this kind of housing, and we will continue working with cities, provinces, territories and partners across the country to do just that," said Yukon MP Brendan Hanley at a news conference on Monday.

The federal government has contributed $1 million over two years, and the Yukon government is chipping in another $500,000. Some of that money was used for renovation work on the building and some will be used on programming for residents. 

"Do they need employment services? Do they need help with food security? Do they need help with daycare, childcare? Do they need help with social services of some kind or a social worker?" said Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee on Monday.

"Those kinds of services are the things that are provided to individuals who reside at this location."

Kate Mechan, the executive director of the Safe at Home Society, said that her organization tracks homelessness with a by-name list.

"It looks like as of the end of January, 18 households identified themselves as being 'unsheltered homeless,' which could include living outdoors or in an RV or a vehicle," Mechan said.

"So all that to say, yes, there are still individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness."

On Friday, the Council of Yukon First Nations announced the opening of another transitional housing facility for Indigenous women and children, in Whitehorse's Whistle Bend neighbourhood.