Get updates on the Downtown Whitehorse Safety Response Action Plan

• The Government of Yukon will continue to provide private security services until March 31, 2024.
• Long-term needs and approach are being assessed.

• The Council of Yukon First Nations launched the Moccasin Mobile Outreach van on February 1, 2024.
• The Government of Yukon contributed approximately $300,000 towards the outreach initiative as part of an approach to enhance safety in downtown Whitehorse.
• The Department of Health and Social Services will engage the Council of Yukon First Nations in the coming weeks on the future of this initiative including longer-term goals and indicators of success.

• In November 2023, the Government of Yukon provided almost $700,000 in funding to Safe at Home for the winter housing initiative to run through to March 31, 2024.
• This funding increased the number of supported units from 26 to 30 units.
• On March 31, 2024, the Temporary Housing Project will conclude to make way for a 2-year renovation that will result in many more units becoming available at the site.
• The Department of Health and Social Services and the Safe at Home Society are working together to support individuals who will be impacted by this closure.

• This funding will support a Land-Based Healing initiative aimed at enhancing healing and wellness through connections to traditional practices on the land, which will be administered by the Council of Yukon First Nations.
• Additional funding to support this important work will be included in Budget 2024–25.

• The Library Outreach Worker is anticipated to start on February 29, 2024, and will undergo significant training with the Community Outreach Service team prior to their placement at the library.
• This outreach worker will provide support in the Jim Smith Building warming centre while the library is temporarily closed.

• IRP Consulting continues to provide valuable support to the Government of Yukon on this important work.
• The Yukon government is working to confirm a series of engagement sessions in the coming months, including a larger community meeting in April.

• During the December 2023 Yukon Days in Ottawa, the Council of Yukon First Nations, the Government of Yukon and the Government of Canada signed a trilateral Letter of Intent to confirm their commitments to collectively work toward the construction and operation of a Yukon First Nations-led healing centre.
• The partners continue to work together to advance this important initiative.

• Communications have been initiated and will continue into the future, focusing on destigmatization and education.
• Connective launched a Facing Forward campaign, a photo portrait project.
• The Department of Health and Social Services continues to communicate about what services and supports are available to Yukoners.
• The Department of Health and Social Services and the Council of Yukon First Nations have a agreement in place to develop a communications campaign this spring. 

• Creating Home 5-year strategic plan

• At the end of January 2024, the Government of Yukon announced the implementation of a residential Managed Alcohol Program (MAP), a key harm reduction component of the Substance Use Health Emergency Strategy.
• Work to operationalize this program is underway and expected to be finalized in spring 2024.
• Government of Yukon announces residential Managed Alcohol Program

Improve safety on Alexander Street by:

• applying Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles; and
• exploring options for management of 408 Alexander St. to address safety concerns

• The Department of Justice is working closely with the RCMP on increased safety for Alexander Street and is exploring a broader Community Safety and Wellbeing plan for the City of Whitehorse.
• The Department of Health and Social Services and Yukon Housing Corporation have convened an internal committee to review proposals for the future of 408 Alexander Street.
• The outcome of the review and next steps are expected in March 2024.

• This action is complete.
• Hours of operation at the supervised consumption site have been expanded to provide a hygienic and supervised place for people to consume substances.
• The Government of Yukon continues to work with valued partners such as Blood Ties Four Direction to support Yukoners who use substances.

• The Government of Yukon has begun engaging the downtown business community, non-governmental organizations, people with lived and living experience and downtown community residents in community safety conversations about downtown Whitehorse. 
• These conversations will begin in February and continue through April to help inform the goals of the Downtown Whitehorse Safety Response Action Plan, which remains a living document. 

• The Government of Yukon is having discussions with partners and service providers on barrier access standards and policies for services such as emergency housing. 
• The Yukon government is working to confirm a series of engagement sessions in the coming months, including a larger community meeting in April.

• The Government of Yukon is advancing work to support the new Canada Yukon Housing Benefit rent subsidy for people fleeing gender-based violence.
• Additional details of the initiative should be released in spring 2024.

Work with the City of Whitehorse to explore:

• developing a community safety and wellbeing plan for the City of Whitehorse, focusing on the downtown;
• adding accessible community washroom facilities; and
• options around the beautification of Alexander Street

• The Government of Yukon has met with the Canadian Center for Safer Communities and the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative to discuss options for a Whitehorse Community Safety and Wellbeing plan.
• In addition, the Community Development and Economic Development Funds are available to receive applications for projects and initiatives that provide long-term sustainable economic benefits for Yukoners.
• They may provide a funding avenue for community wellbeing and beautification efforts in downtown Whitehorse.

• The Government of Yukon is having preliminary discussions about interest in hosting a community Restorative Justice Circle to promote cross-learning and healing.

• The Yukon government is working to confirm a series of engagement sessions in the coming months, including a larger community meeting in April.

Yukon Housing Corporation to lead the development of a Rapid Response to Homelessness by:

• engaging with partners to develop a multi-pronged strategy based on collective understanding of needs;
• continuing to implement integrated housing with supports in partnership with Health and Social Services; and
• securing options for additional supportive and emergency housing

• The Yukon Housing Corporation is seeking information from Yukon government departments, First Nations governments and community partners to gain insight into how services and programs are provided and how the system can better coordinate to support Yukoners.
• This information will help inform a Yukon Housing Corporation presentation at the Housing Summit on the development of a Rapid Response to Homelessness Strategy.
• In addition, Yukon Housing Corporation is working with the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition and the Safe at Home Society to understand next steps for the Safe At Home Community Based Plan to End and Prevent Homelessness.
• On February 29, there will be a Yukon Housing Summit, which is an opportunity for stakeholders and community members to come together to explore innovative solutions, share success stories and work together to build a stronger future for our communities.

• The Yukon Housing Corporation’s strategic plan Creating Home commits the corporation to ensuring 35 per cent of new builds are accessible based on funding requirements.

• This action aligns with the vision laid out in Creating Home, Yukon Housing Corporation’s 5-year strategic plan.

• This action aligns with the vision laid out in Creating Home, Yukon Housing Corporation’s 5-year strategic plan.

• This action aligns with the vision laid out in Creating Home, Yukon Housing Corporation’s 5-year strategic plan.