Federal ministers made their way to Yellowknife on Monday to announce $23 million in joint funding for the creation of 63 affordable rental units for at-risk individuals.

The money will support a pair of projects: the expansion of YWCASA国际影视传媒檚 LynnSA国际影视传媒檚 Place II at 4904-54 St., and converting the former Arnica Inn on Franklin Avenue into 42 safe and affordable bachelor units for at-risk men and women. The Yellowknife WomenSA国际影视传媒檚 Society will provide programs and 24-hour support staff at the latter site, now known as Spruce Bough.

Construction of LynnSA国际影视传媒檚 Place II began in May 2022 and is expected to be complete by July 2023 while Spruce Bough is on track for completion by December 2023.

Due to the increasing cost of living, SA国际影视传媒渋ndividuals and families have to make the impossible choice in choosing to pay for groceries or pay for their rent,SA国际影视传媒� said Ahmed Hussen, the federal minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion. SA国际影视传媒淐anadian need that support and they need the support now, and our government is responding and had responded.SA国际影视传媒�

Although Ottawa is providing the bulk of the funding, the territorial government, YWCA NWT and Yellowknife WomenSA国际影视传媒檚 Society are among the entities making contributions toward the projects. The City of Yellowknife designated $5 million in federal funds toward LynnSA国际影视传媒檚 Place II.

SA国际影视传媒淪upporting the housing needs of all Yellowknifers, including women and children, is so important to our community and the City of Yellowknife,SA国际影视传媒� Mayor Rebecca Alty stated. SA国际影视传媒淭his project helps to fill an important gap and ensures that more women and children will have access to affordable, safe housing, with crucial support services, which may have life changing impacts for many individuals for years to come. I am very excited to see that this project has already started, and look forward to future opportunities and partnerships to help expand affordable housing in Yellowknife.SA国际影视传媒�

Also on hand for MondaySA国际影视传媒檚 funding announcement at city hall were Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal, NWT MP Michael McLeod; Paulie Chinna, minister responsible for Housing NWT; Kate Reid, YWCA NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 board president; Hawa Dumbuya-Sesay, executive director of YWCA NWT; Renee Sanderson, Yellowknife WomenSA国际影视传媒檚 Society executive director; Carla Smith, director of finance with the Yellowknife WomenSA国际影视传媒檚 Society and other partners.

Chinna said the GNWT looks forward to SA国际影视传媒渇inding more ways to collaborate effectively to increase the wellbeing of individuals and communities by providing fair access to quality housing for people most in need. Only through collaboration and working in partnership will we be able to effectively address the NWTSA国际影视传媒檚 housing crisis.SA国际影视传媒�

Dumbuya-Sesay welcomed the financial commitment.

SA国际影视传媒淎ffordable, safe, and secure housing is fundamental to womenSA国际影视传媒檚 safety and economic security, and we are extremely grateful for the support and vision of our funding partners to help make this much needed building a reality,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭his project is built from the belief that together, we can foster equity and create a healthy and safe community, and in just a few months, we look forward to providing a wrap-around hub of support in a safe space where women and families can reach their full potential.SA国际影视传媒�

Likewise, Smith was delighted to see her organizationSA国际影视传媒檚 project making further progress.

SA国际影视传媒淭he funding provided for the Spruce Bough building purchase and renovations currently happening on site, have established a 20-year commitment to providing safe and supportive housing for vulnerable homeless Elders in the community,SA国际影视传媒� she said. SA国际影视传媒淭his vision started in 2018 and has been a journey for sure but the outcome is going to be worth the wait.SA国际影视传媒�

In a fall economic update last week, federal Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland acknowledged that many Canadians are having a hard time making ends meet. The economic statement included a one-time top up of $500 to the Canada Housing Benefit, which delivers an average of $2,500 per year for people to pay their rent.