A new eight-unit affordable housing building officially opened at 1075 Third Avenue in Dawson City today. Tenants will be able to move in starting June 1, 2019.
The governments of Canada and Yukon provided $900,000 to the Klondike Development Organization through Yukon Housing Corporation programs to complete the project, which is the second affordable rental building completed in two years.
The two-storey design is similar to the previous affordable housing building with six 44-square-metre one-bedroom units, and two 55-square-metre two-bedroom units.
Our government is proud to support the work of the Klondike Development Organization to make stable and affordable housing available in Dawson City in a way that creates economic development opportunities for the community. Through partnerships like this we are increasing the amount of affordable housing in Yukon communities so that they remain healthy, vibrant and sustainable places for Yukoners to live and work.
Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation Pauline Frost
KDO is proud to be providing affordable rental housing solutions with the assistance of funding programs provided by CMHC and Yukon Housing Corporation, and important development incentives from the City of Dawson. From a community-based economic development standpoint, this project checks several boxes: creating stable, year-round rentals support our labour market, and its Third Avenue location contributes to downtown revitalization as well as increased accessibility and minimized reliance on vehicle use. We're especially pleased that this project was executed by local contractors and crews sourcing materials locally so that the development of this housing directly supports Dawson City's economy, particularly through the winter.
Klondike Development Organization President Jackie Olson
Funding rental housing projects like this, in collaboration with the Government of Yukon and local partners like the Klondike Development Organization, is vital to improving quality of life and keeping homes safe and affordable here in Dawson, and in communities across Yukon.
Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon
The Klondike Development Organization broke ground in September and construction by local companies continued throughout the winter.
The Government of Yukon supported this project with $500,000 from the Municipal Matching Rental Construction Grant and $400,000 from the Affordable Rental Construction Program. These Yukon Housing Corporation funding programs provide community organizations and developers with financial support to build affordable housing options for Yukoners.
The Affordable Rental Construction Program was made possible under the Canada-Yukon Investment in Affordable Housing agreement. As part of the program to keep housing affordable, the new units must be rented at average, or below average market rent for the next 10 years.
The City of Dawson supported the project through its Development Incentive Policy.
The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS)—a 10-year, $40 billion plan. The implementation of this plan will create 100,000 new housing units, and lift 530,000 families out of housing need, as well as support the repair and renewal of more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 per cent.
Thanks to new investments proposed in Budget 2019, Canada’s National Housing Strategy will be a 10-year, $55 billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home.
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.
Lisa Bucher
Cabinet Communications
867-332-0480
lisa.bucher@gov.yk.ca
Sarah Murray
Communications, Yukon Housing Corporation
867-334-8712
sarah.murray@gov.yk.ca