An excerpt from the recently released Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition progress report for their Housing Action Plan:
Two years ago, the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition (YAPC) released A Home for Everyone: A Housing Action Plan for Whitehorse. In it, Coalition members concluded that the housing crisis could be solved if leadership and collaboration led to action in five areas of the housing continuum:
- Emergency shelter
- Transitional housing
- Housing with long term supports
- Rental accommodation
- Affordable home ownership
This week, YAPC is releasing it’s second progress report since the release of the action plan. Many were involved who contributed information and clarification during the development of the report including the Yukon Housing Corporation, YG Health and Social Services, the City of Whitehorse, Kwanlin Dun First Nation and numerous service agencies.
So where are we?
- The population of Whitehorse increased by 2.9% over the past year and as of December 2012, sits at 27,753.
- The median rent for Whitehorse in March 2013 was $856; this is the highest median rent on record, and is 3.8% above the median rent price one year earlier.
- The average price of a single family dwelling is still over $400,000 as of the 4th quarter of 2012.
- The rental vacancy rate sits at 1.5%.
- Grey Mountain Housing has 30 families and 7 individuals on their waiting list; Whitehorse Housing has 91 individuals on their waiting list. Many of those awaiting housing are considered homeless – camping, staying with family or couch surfing.
What progress has been made?
- The City of Whitehorse has identified attainable housing as one of its top 5 priorities for its strategic plan. In February, Mayor and Council took a leadership role in supporting the call for a National Housing Strategy (Bill C-400).
- Yukon Government has announced plans to develop a territory wide housing action plan and Yukon Housing Corporation has a new 5 year strategic plan with an expanded mandate.
- Kwanlin Dun First Nation continues its work on land and housing policies.
- Habitat for Humanity signed a landmark agreement with Champagne Aishihik to build a triplex at the Takhini River Subdivision.
- Council of Yukon First Nations has become the new community entity which will administer federal Homelessness Partnering Strategy funds in Yukon.
- New Whitehorse Yukon Safe Housing Society established.
- Interest is building to develop a 10 year plan to end homelessness in Whitehorse.
- The federal government has announced a focus on “Housing First” for Homelessness Partnering Strategy funds.
- The March 2013 Northern Housing Conference raised community and government awareness on housing challenges and solutions.
- YG is working with the Salvation Army to expand and enhance the Salvation Army’s shelter and related services.
What are the gaping holes?
- Supportive housing targeted for people exiting correctional facilities, drug and alcohol treatment, mental health facilities or youth care facilities is practically non existent.
- Supportive housing targeted for people with mental health issues or active addictions is practically non existent.
- Emergency shelter for women not fleeing abuse at that point in time is almost nonexistent.
- Transitional shelter for women exiting the justice system is nonexistent.
- Emergency & transitional housing for families is nonexistent.
- There is no significant movement on increasing the affordable rental housing stock in Whitehorse.
- Plans for increased emergency shelter space will not address the ongoing need for long term housing options.
- Low income and vulnerable Whitehorse residents continue to suffer the impact of inadequate, inaccessible, unaffordable and insecure housing. Women continue to face a bleak picture.
What can we do?
Members of the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition are pleased that a Housing Action Plan for the territory is in the works and congratulate Yukon Government on that initiative. In the meantime, we need to roll up our sleeves and get appropriate housing built now that will support low income and the most vulnerable in our community. There is no need to wait!
For more information look for updates on the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition website.
