NWGT announced they are planning to build a transitional housing facility in the city of Yellowknife that will house 25 people. There is no word yet on a date for when the facility will open.
Minister Lucy Kuptana, the Minister Responsible for Housing NWT, emphasized the need for creating safe and supportive housing.
“Having access to safe, stable and supportive housing is essential to helping people move forward in their lives. This temporary facility will provide not only shelter, but a pathway toward healing, independence, and a future beyond homelessness. Through this work, we are offering support for healing and creating space for people to feel safe, regain stability, and begin rebuilding with dignity and hope,” said Minister Kuptana in the announcement.
The facility will be built on Highway 3 across from the Yellowknife Airport, next to the Folk on the Rocks festival.
The project is meant as a temporary solution as the GNWT seeks more permanent transitional housing opportunities in the city.
GNWT staff said they just entered a three-year lease of the site and aim to secure permanent transitional housing options before the lease term ends.
The facility will be made of modular units assembled on-site to create 25 individual bedrooms, alongside shared spaces including a kitchen, dining area, recreation space, laundry facilities, and office space.
Security measures, including secure entry points, fencing, and surveillance cameras will be installed as a safety measure.
The transitional housing space will offer a “supportive and structured environment designed to bridge the gap between homelessness and longer-term housing,” said N.W.T Housing in their announcement May 6. It will include wraparound supports to help residents “stabilize, set goals, and prepare” for independent living.
N.W.T Housing emphasized that transitional housing provides a “stable environment” where people can take “meaningful steps” towards stable housing and a better life.
“Unlike emergency shelters, which are intended for short-term stays, transitional housing offers residents private space, case management, and life skills programming that supports their transition to independent living,” said N.W.T. Housing staff.
With this initiative, N.W.T. Housing is tackling the often unseen, compounded challenges and barriers experienced by people facing homelessness.
“By helping residents address challenges that contributed to homelessness, transitional housing plays a key role in reducing chronic homelessness and supporting successful reintegration into the community,” they said.
An interagency committee will be formed to help guide the coordinated services, streamline process and assist in developing policies and procedures for the programs and services.
N.W.T. Housing said GNWT will issue two Requests for Proposals (RFPs) in 2025: one will be announced this month, which would be a proposal for the provision and setup of the modular structure. The second RFP will be announced in July for a program operator to deliver day-to-day programming and supports.
N.W.T. Housing said there will be minimal if any impact on nearby recreational activities and community events due to the construction of the transitional housing in the area.
“GNWT staff will work closely with partners, including the Folk on the Rocks festival and Yellowknife Pride, to ensure continued access to recreational spaces wherever possible, and to address concerns through collaboration and planning.”
True North FM reached out to NWT Housing for more information and will share those details once they become available.
