On October 4, the Government of Yukon hosted the Yukon – Together for Housing Summit 2022, which brought together housing partners across the territory to advance work to address the Office of the Auditor General’s (OAG) report on housing and identify ways to end homelessness in the Yukon. The summit raised awareness on the ongoing challenges of homelessness and core housing, new and innovative housing developments and ways the Yukon government can strengthen partnerships across the sector.
About one hundred people attended, including representatives from nonprofit organizations, Yukon First Nations governments, the private sector, community groups, municipalities, the federal government and the Yukon government. Community partners shared insights on how they can continue to work together to create more homes in the territory that meet the needs of Yukoners. Participants also provided input on how the Government of Yukon should tackle the OAG’s key findings.
Key opportunities include:
- New ways of evaluating and measuring the success of government programs related to housing.
- More efficient use of resources to support those with the greatest housing needs.
- A potential consortium approach between Yukon Housing Corporation and First Nations governments to better utilize funding options and build more homes with services in Yukon communities.
The input will inform the Yukon government’s draft action plan to address the OAG’s report. The draft action plan is to be finalized in November.
The Housing Summit yesterday was a great opportunity to connect with community partners across the territory and find tangible solutions to the housing and homelessness challenges we face in the Yukon. There is not one government or organization alone that can solve housing needs in the territory and we must continue to work together to build more homes for Yukoners. Thank you to all those who attended yesterday and continue to advance this important work that will strengthen our territory now and for generations to come.
Access to a safe and affordable homes is a critical piece in ensuring that Yukoners are healthy, happy and well. The Housing Summit is a testament to our ongoing work with our partners to listen and learn from Yukon First Nations, community stakeholders and non-governmental organizations, to address homelessness and needed supports in the Yukon.
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Yukon – Together for Housing, Housing Summit 2022 was the second housing summit hosted by the current Government of Yukon.
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Presentations were provided by Dr. Carolyn Whitzman from the Housing Assessment Resource Tool (HART project), Cary Duboff from the Government of Manitoba, as well as representatives from Opportunities Yukon, Trondëk Hwëch’in, Whitehorse Housing First, and the Government of Yukon.
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Participants were asked to provide their input on recommendations provided by the Office of the Auditor General in their report, Yukon Housing. The report followed a performance audit on the state of Housing for Vulnerable Yukoners.
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Key insights from the Summit will be incorporated into the Yukon Housing Corporation and Health and Social Services’ joint action plan to address the OAG’s findings.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Julie Ménard
Communications, Yukon Housing Corporation
867-332-7302
julie.menard@yukon.ca