The Government of Yukon is making progress on the actions put forward in its work plan to address the 2022 recommendations made by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada’s report on the state of housing for vulnerable Yukoners.
Since the release of the work plan in December 2022, Yukon Housing Corporation and the Department of Health and Social Services have worked collaboratively to advance the work plan’s 34 actions, contributing to improved outcomes and services for Yukoners in need.
Key advancements include:
- amending the prioritization system for the rent-geared-to-income housing program ensures that all eligible Yukoners have equal access;
- developing a social support branch quarterly housing report to inform programs and services improvements;
- updating third-party agreements for targeted, efficient service delivery and improved monitoring, ensuring better accountability and responsiveness to the needs of vulnerable Yukoners;
- publishing the Housing Action Plan three-year progress report for 2019 to 2022; and
- collaborating with the Safe at Home Society to develop emergency housing options in downtown Whitehorse.
This work reflects the Yukon government’s commitment to not only provide Yukoners with stable, affordable, quality housing but also to ensure the right supports are in place to ensure that all Yukoners have a safe place to call home.
Our government is committed to addressing the 2022 recommendations from the Office of the Auditor General of Canada's report on housing for vulnerable Yukoners. The collaboration between the Yukon Housing Corporation and the Department of Health and Social Services is helping make substantial progress on our work plan's 34 actions. Our goal is not just to provide stable, affordable and quality housing but to ensure that, in the Yukon, there is a place for everyone to call home.
The health and wellbeing of Yukoners is deeply intertwined with their living conditions. Through this work plan, we are not just providing housing but also contributing to the overall health and social wellbeing of the territory. Adequate and accessible housing is a crucial determinant of health, especially for vulnerable populations and central to creating conditions in which people can thrive.
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In May 2022, the Yukon Housing Corporation and Department of Health and Social Services signed an agreement to define roles and responsibilities, increase collaboration and improve coordination of work.
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The Office of the Auditor General of Canada work plan contains 34 actions linked to the nine recommendations in the 2022 Office of the Auditor General of Canada’s report on Yukon housing.
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Since the launch of the work plan in December 2022, changes have been made to action 31.3, 90.1 and 90.2.
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The Office of the Auditor General of Canada’s report followed a performance audit on the state of housing for vulnerable Yukoners. The audit focused on emergency shelters, transitional housing, supportive housing and social housing available in the territory between April 1, 2015, and November 30, 2021.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
Laura.Seeley@yukon.ca
Julie Ménard
Communications, Yukon Housing Corporation
867-332-7302
Julie.menard@yukon.ca
Zachary Burke
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-334-7986
zachary.burke@yukon.ca