The Government of Yukon, in partnership with members of the Housing Action Plan Implementation Committee, has released the Housing Action Plan’s latest progress report for April 2019 to March 2022. The report is a high-level analysis of the Yukon’s housing landscape and summarizes the progress made including key achievements and milestones under three pillars that are:
- Rental Housing: The goal is to increase access to adequate and affordable rental market, non-market rental housing and support for tenants and landlords.
- During the reporting period, 384 private market rental homes and 120 affordable rental homes were completed and 285 households were supported through rent subsidies.
- Housing with Services: The goal is to help people gain and maintain housing with services.
- During the reporting period, 16 homes with services were completed and over 200 homes with services began planning or construction.
- Home Ownership: The goal is to increase and diversify home ownership options.
- During the reporting period, 55 households received funding for home repairs, 18 households were supported with affordable home ownership, seven affordable homes were built and three affordable homes were in the construction phase.
This progress report demonstrates the significant housing investments achieved by many partners over the last three years including Yukon First Nations, developers, contractors and municipal and federal governments.
Residential investment reached record highs, with $267 million in 2021, surpassing the 2020 record of nearly $200 million. Over the next five years, the Government of Yukon will invest $255 million to support access to stable, affordable and accessible housing.
There have been many successes within this period to support housing solutions despite impacts reflected in the report including the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic had on housing construction, increased supply chain disruptions and material shortages. This is yet a further testament to the significance of the housing progress made. As the territory’s population grows and energy costs rise, the Yukon’s housing sector will continue to work to support a robust housing continuum across the Yukon.
I am proud of the progress made to build homes that are affordable, safe and meet the needs of those living in the Yukon. Over the past three years, despite the logistical complications of material shortages, supply chain and labour shortages stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Yukon’s housing sector has been creative, resilient and adaptable in building homes across the territory. The numerous initiatives highlighted in the report are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Yukon Housing Corporation, Yukon First Nations, municipal and federal governments and housing developers across the territory. While challenges remain, the report recognizes and celebrates the many successful projects that have helped make the Yukon’s housing market more accessible and affordable.
Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation Ranj Pillai
Housing is more than just a place to live. Together with the Government of Yukon, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and the City of Whitehorse, Opportunities Yukon opened the Cornerstone Affordable and Supportive Housing building in May 2022. This opportunity meets the pillar of not just affordable but also supportive housing on the Housing Action Plan. I would like to say thank you to the Government of Yukon for their ongoing support for the Cornerstone Supported Independent Living Program that provides tenants with the on-site support necessary for a successful tenancy. The Cornerstone Community Building is designed to provide safe, respectful, and supportive housing to many of Whitehorse's most vulnerable people.
Member of the Housing Action Plan Implementation Committee, Opportunities Yukon Executive Director Jillian Hardie
The Housing Action Plan (HAP) report for April 2019 to March 2022 provides a summary of progress over the last three years on the implementation of the 10-year Housing Action Plan for the Yukon for 2015 to 2025, including summary statistics and major milestones related to the three key HAP pillars.
The HAP identifies three key objectives or ‘pillars’ for a better housing system:
- Help people gain and maintain housing with services;
- Increase access to adequate and affordable market and non-market rental housing and support for tenants and landlords;
- Increase and diversify home ownership options.
The HAP report for April 2019 to March 2022 was developed by the HAP implementation committee, which is comprised of housing providers, advocates, stakeholders and others.
Since the 2015 implementation of the Housing Action Plan, four report cards, including this one, have been issued by the Implementation Committee. The three other reports are:
- Progress Report 2015-2017: the development of strategic planning tools including: communication strategy, Housing Education Initiative Guide and the Yukon Housing Data Report.
- Progress Report 2017-2018: supporting the development and implementation of the National Housing Strategy, the development of the Safe at Home: Plan to End and Prevent Homelessness in Whitehorse. Activity example: piloting of the online housing portal “Looking for Housing”.
- Progress Report 2018-2019: coordination of housing issues, statistics and activities across the housing continuum and funding. Activity: collaboratively aligning activities with the National Housing Strategy and the Homelessness Partnering Strategy (now Reaching Home); co-developing the Canada Housing Benefit for Yukon.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Julie Ménard
Communications, Yukon Housing Corporation
867-332-7302
julie.menard@yukon.ca