When can people expect to see more housing in Yellowknife? There's no set date at the moment, according to Mayor Rebecca Alty.

She said the GNWT is looking at adding more housing, but, at this time, she's not privy to exactly where and when it will materialize.

Alty also noted the territorial government is currently renovating Aspen Apartments. That apartment building neighbours a tent encampment for homeless people, and it will stay that way for the next few weeks, according to the GNWT. Sometime in mid-September, however, the people in that encampment will need to move because of those renovations.

Now, Alty said the city and the GNWT are up against the clock to find a new spot for those soon-to-be-displaced people.

"It's a race against time to have something ready, and we're really stressing [that] a decision needs to be made and start actioning it because perfect can be the enemy of good."

Alty said the GNWT is looking at a number of spots right now for the people in that encampment. Those options are buildings, rather than another parking lot, she added.

Reinforcing the growing demand for accommodations, the Salvation Army has seen an uptick in attendance over the past few months, the mayor noted.

"This is the first time the Salvation Army was seeing their numbers continue to grow in the summer," she said. "Generally, their numbers would go down."

To reduce the strain, instead of more emergency shelters, the GNWT is focusing on non-market and transitional housing, she added. 

"There have been people living at the Salvation Army for years and it really is supposed to be about emergency," she said.

Asked whether the GNWT has let people down, Alty said it's hard, but they have to concentrate on what's ahead.

"We've got to focus on the future and really make sure that we're adequately and appropriately resourcing. So, really making sure that housing and mental health and addiction supports become more available in the Northwest Territories."

Mayor's preferred locations

There are a handful of sites Alty can think of that would make for appropriate lots to build more housing. Those lots can be found behind Taylor Road, Forest Drive, Burwash Drive, Lundquist Road and two spots near Niven, she said. It's a matter of getting federal funds to turn those specific properties into non-market houses for people.

Non-market housing includes transitional housing, public housing and affordable housing, Alty explained. Part of her job is lobbying the territorial and federal governments for more money, she added.

The mayor said she expects to have a more accurate idea of the number of homeless people in Yellowknife as of October. In 2021, that number was 312, according to The Homeless Hub. Alty said she expects that figure to have grown.

"It will take a while," until things get better, the mayor said. "It's been years in the making and it will take a bit, but [the city is] really hoping to see more money in the next budgets and then shovels in the ground, getting ready."

Packed shelters and an encampment are not the only major indicators of a spike in homelessness in Yellowknife. In June, a large, wooden platform was erected across the street from the Niven Gate sign on 48 Street so homeless people could have a level place to pitch their tents. It was then turned into two smaller platforms, although one of them eventually burned down, and no levels of government investigated it. 

"I don't think it's a solution for our climate," Alty said of the unprotected platforms, reiterating the need to advocate for actual housing.

She noted that it's the fire marshal's job to investigate that platform fire.

"I'm not sure what happened there, but it is concerning because it can also then turn into a forest fire," she said. "Those are always the challenges with fires."

In an email to Yellowknifer, Jay Boast, a spokesperson with Municipal and Community Affairs, said the fire chief is the local assistant to the fire marshal and is responsible to investigate every fire occurring within their jurisdiction.

"During the preliminary investigation, the local assistant (or officer in charge) will make a determination based on initial findings on what agencies need to be notified and whether to seek additional fire investigation support," Boast said.

Boast added that the Office of the Fire Marshal may not be requested to help local authorities for fires that are not considered suspicious in nature.

"The OFM has not received a request for investigation support for this incident," Boast said in regards to the razed wooden platform.