The fifth intake of the Housing Initiatives Fund will support 11 shovel ready housing projects throughout the Yukon.
These projects will build a total of 182 new homes, including 155 new affordable homes, in Carmacks, Dawson City, Haines Junction, Mayo, Watson Lake and Whitehorse. Funding is also being provided for two housing project development concepts that would create another homes 80 homes in the territory.
Approved projects include:
- $640,000 for 8 new homes in Mayo – First Nation of Na-cho Nyäk Dun;
- $800,000 for 8 new homes in Carmacks – Carmacks Development Corporation;
- $1 million for 10 new homes in Haines Junction – Champagne and Aishihik First Nations;
- $1 million for 15 new homes in Watson Lake – Liard First Nation;
- $1 million to further support the conversion of the High country Inn to create 55 new affordable homes in Whitehorse – Safe at Home Society;
- $1 million for 15 new homes in Whitehorse – HTTVB Real Property Inc.;
- $1 million for 32 homes in Whitehorse – Northern Community Land Trust;
- $1 million for 13 new homes in Whitehorse – Kwanlin Dün First Nation;
- A combined $560,000 for 4 new homes in Whitehorse, 2 new homes in the Mendenhall Area, and one new home in Dawson City together with individual Yukoners;
- $20,000 for a 60-unit housing project concept being developed by the Grey Mountain Housing Society; and
- $20,000 for a 20-unit housing project concept being developed by Connective.
The fifth intake provided additional considerations for projects that prioritized the needs of seniors, tenants earning less than Yukon Housing Corporation’s household income limits, people experiencing homelessness, First Nations, youth aged 18 to 25. Consideration was also given to projects that support staffing housing solutions for all levels of government and the local business sector.
The Housing Initiatives Fund supports a wide range of new affordable housing projects that align with the three pillars of the Housing Action Plan for Yukon: housing with support services, affordable rental housing and increased home ownership options. To date, the fund has committed over $20 million to support the construction of more than 590 homes across the territory, including 480 affordable homes.
The Housing Initiatives Fund has been increased by $2.1 million for a total of $5.7 million in the 2022-23 Budget. The next Housing Initiatives Fund call for housing projects will be in November 2022.
The Housing Initiative Fund is creating affordable homes across the territory that meet the needs of Yukoners. Over the past four years, the Fund has helped build hundreds of affordable homes in our territory and this intake will see an additional 155 affordable homes reach the market. Thank you to all our partners who are helping build homes for Yukoners. I look forward to the next call for housing projects this year and continuing our work to ensure that every Yukoner has a safe, affordable place to call home.”
Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation Ranj Pillai
The fifth call for projects ran from November 15, 2021 to January 14, 2022, to help successful applicants prepare for the 2022 building season. The fifth intake generated 29 applications, including project concepts and shovel ready projects. 13 of those projects have been approved for funding.
This call for projects included three streams: one for shovel ready projects in Whitehorse, one for shovel ready projects in communities and one for project concepts. First Nations governments, First Nations Development Corporations, developers, contractors, community organizations and the individuals were eligible to apply for funding to support projects that will increase affordable housing options in their community.
Projects must include a minimum of four units in Whitehorse or a minimum of one unit in communities and must remain affordable for 20 years.
Projects approved must increase the amount of affordable housing to be available for Yukoners and can include new affordable rentals, new rent-to-own options, new home ownership options, or other mixed market approaches.
Housing Initiatives Fund funding can be used together with other Yukon Housing Corporation programs such as the Municipal Matching Rental Construction Program, the Developer Build Loan Program and federal, First Nation and Municipal funding initiatives.
Over 590 homes will come online through the Housing Initiative Funding over the 5 intakes of this program (including over 480 affordable homes) built by First Nations governments, First Nations Development Corporations, developers, contractors, community organizations and the general public.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Shannon Ryan
Communications, Yukon Housing Corporation
867-335-7404
shannon.ryan@yukon.ca