This is a joint news release between Safe at Home Society and the Government of Yukon.
The Safe at Home Society is opening The Hearth, a 67-unit supportive housing program in Whitehorse for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The program is supported through Government of Yukon operations and maintenance funding approved as part of broader efforts to strengthen the housing and services continuum in Whitehorse and improve safety for downtown residents and the public. The Hearth officially opens on July 15, 2026, with phased occupancy beginning shortly thereafter.
The Hearth will provide stable housing with 24-hour supervision of common areas and grounds, as well as on-site supports for individuals identified through Whitehorse’s By-Name List, including units dedicated to youth. The program is designed to support people at different stages by helping them stabilize, access supports and reduce reliance on emergency shelters and other frontline services.
Additionally, Safe at Home Society, in partnership with the Government of Yukon, delivers supportive housing at two other properties in Whitehorse – 17 units at 408 Alexander Street and 16 units at 5131 5th Avenue – helping to improve housing stability across the continuum.
The opening of The Hearth is expected to reduce pressure on emergency shelters and provide long-term housing in individual units. The common areas have ongoing supervision from on-site staff.
The opening of The Hearth demonstrates that strong partnerships can help deliver safe, stable housing for people experiencing homelessness. This initiative aims to improve housing stability, community safety and access to coordinated supports for vulnerable Yukoners.
Bringing The Hearth to fruition has been a five-year journey for Safe at Home and it is a big step forward in realizing our vision of ending homelessness. The Hearth is a significant opportunity to focus on the health and housing stability of Yukoners who have been unhoused and unsupported for too long. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Government of Yukon and others in the community to see this program thrive for years to come.
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The Hearth is located at 4051 4th Avenue in Whitehorse.
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The program includes 67 supportive housing units, including 16 units dedicated to youth.
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Supportive housing combines stable housing with on-site supports tailored to individual needs.
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The By-Name List is a coordinated system used to prioritize housing and supports for people experiencing homelessness based on level of need and vulnerability.
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The Government of Yukon provided $12.9 million in capital funding to support the development of The Hearth and is investing $2.1 million annually, starting in 2026, to operate 67 new supportive housing units at The Hearth in Whitehorse.
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The Government of Yukon is also providing $1.5 million in 2026–27 to continue operating 17 supportive housing units at 408 Alexander Street, along with $1.7 million to support operations for 16 supportive housing units at 5131 5th Avenue.
Matt Davidson
Director, Cabinet Communications
867-334-6637
[email protected]
Thibaut Rondel
Communications, Health and Social Services
867-332-7058
[email protected]
Hope McDonald
Communications, Yukon Housing Corporation
867-332-8774
[email protected]
Kate Mechan
Executive Director, Safe at Home Society
867-334-9310
[email protected]