Northwest Territories, feds sign agreement to build more shelter spaces, transitional housing
Both governments will contribute $1M over 2 years
The N.W.T. government and the federal government will contribute $1 million each over two years to create more shelter spaces and eventually more transitional housing for people facing homelessness in Yellowknife.
Premier R.J. Simpson and N.W.T. MP Michael McLeod signed an agreement on Thursday.
"This partnership will help alleviate capacity challenges identified by local shelter operators, while addressing encampments and helping find homes for people sleeping in tents through a human rights-based and housing first approach," a news release said.
In the short term, the N.W.T. government will work on creating additional shelter spaces. In the long term, the government will "work on increasing transitional and supportive housing options" for people at risk of homelessness, or people exiting homelessness.
A group of 50-plus people set up tents outside in Yellowknife this summer after the city's shelters were beyond capacity.
Last winter the Salvation Army in the city was regularly at twice its capacity, with people sleeping on mats in hallways.