Joint news release with the Government of Canada
The governments of Yukon and Canada officially opened two new accessible duplexes in Carmacks today, the first seniors’ accessible housing project in the community. The new housing supports Aging in Place, a collaborative Yukon-wide effort that allows seniors to live in their home community as they age.
Each two-bedroom unit is 1000 square feet, barrier-free and accessible, and the units are energy efficient and built to EnerGuide 85 rating. The homes, located at 104 and 106 Tantalus Drive, add to the Yukon Housing Corporation’s rent-geared-to-income housing stock.
Supporting Yukon seniors to age in place, especially in rural communities, is a priority of our government. These new accessible housing units will help seniors with mobility issues live more comfortably in their community. We are pleased to add Carmacks to our list of communities that have purpose-built seniors’ housing units and increase our modernized social housing stock.
Minister Responsible for Yukon Housing Corporation Pauline Frost
Our Government recognizes how important it is for seniors to be able to live independently, close to their families and friends. These modern, accessible, purpose-built units are another example of the concrete steps we’re taking to ensure that senior citizens from this community have access to safe and secure housing that meets their needs.
Member of Parliament for Yukon Larry Bagnell
The project is a partnership between the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Yukon Housing Corporation and cost $1.03 million with funding provided through the Canada-Yukon Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement (Social Infrastructure Fund).
To be eligible for seniors’ social housing in rural Yukon, household income must be under the Household Income Limit of $80,104.
All new multi-unit seniors’ social housing buildings are energy efficient and have accessibility features such as grab bars, walk-in showers, wide doors and hallways for walkers and wheelchairs to enable seniors to age in place and maintain independence.
The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS) — a 10-year, $40 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 per cent.
The NHS is built on strong partnerships between federal, provincial and territorial governments, and on continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private sectors to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians.
Valérie Glazer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
819-654-5546
valerie.glazer@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Janine Workman
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7449
janine.workman@gov.yk.ca
Sarah Murray
Communications, Yukon Housing Corporation
867-334-8712
sarah.murray@gov.yk.ca
Gabriel Teo
Public Affairs
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
604-376-4622
gteo@cmhc-schl.gc.ca