The Government of Yukon, through Yukon Housing Corporation, has partnered with Ross River Dena Council to install a three-unit trailer at 206 Quartzite Street in the community of Ross River. The units, each equipped with a full kitchen, bathroom with shower and combined living and bedroom area, will provide housing for Ross River Dena Council staff, helping the community to better respond to its ongoing State of Emergency.
Under this new partnership, Ross River Dena Council will identify staff who require housing, while Yukon Housing Corporation will be responsible for the operations and maintenance of the trailer. The project is to support the Ross River Dena Council in successfully recruiting for several critical positions including executive director by helping to ensure housing is available within the community.
This initiative addresses the need identified by the Ross River Dena Council for staff housing and will support capacity building within their administration. The Government of Yukon and Ross River Dena Council will continue to work towards sustainable, long-term solutions to respond to the community’s housing and social needs.
I’m pleased that our government worked with Ross River Dena Council to help address its immediate need for staff housing. We remain committed to working in partnership with Yukon First Nations to meet the needs of all Yukoners, whether they be in Whitehorse or in the communities. Chief Loblaw’s tireless advocacy for his community resulted in an opportunity for our governments to work collaboratively and the result is one that helps to address the pressing demand for housing and supports the community's need for expanded capacity to respond to its State of Emergency.
– Minister of Yukon Housing Corporation Ranj Pillai
Ross River Dena Council, in collaboration with the Government of Yukon, is working to address the situation that continues to unfold here in our community. These efforts to build capacity bring a solution to build on to achieve our goals.
– Chief of Ross River Dena Council Dylan Loblaw
Ross River Dena Council declared a State of Emergency on May 12, 2023, due to complex social issues being experienced in the community.
Ross River Dena Council identified staff housing as an area of immediate need to help build capacity and develop community-based solutions and requested the Government of Yukon's support.
Each of the three units is 224 square feet.
The trailer was manufactured in Alberta and meets the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) requirements.
Jordan Owens
Cabinet Communications
867-332-0615
jordan.owens@yukon.ca
Julie Ménard
Communications, Yukon Housing Corporation
867-332-7302
julie.menard@yukon.ca
Chief Dylan Loblaw
Ross River Dena Council
867-989-2277
Kaskachief@rrdc.ca