A public housing project proposed for Riverdale may be a done deal as far as the government is concerned, but officials had a difficult time selling it to the suburb's residents at an "information session" at the Council of Yukon First Nations' (CYFN's) building Wednesday evening.

For more than an hour, more than a dozen residents peppered Yukon Housing Corp. representatives with questions, some offering alternate locations, others expressing frustration that they were not consulted.

"We would've preferred to hear about this sooner, and not just read about it in the paper," one woman said.

The proposal calls for a 30-unit, 40,000-square-foot complex built adjacent to the CYFN's headquarters property, and could include a private daycare facility and common space.

But if the idea was to situate the housing close to amenities like schools and daycare services, asked some residents, why include an onsite daycare as well?

"Single-parent families have special needs, different from seniors ... that's what we know," said Dale Kozman of the housing corporation, responding to questions about the scope of the project.

"This is not just bricks and mortar."

As to finding an alternate location, the government's position is that the Riverdale site meets the project's needs, is zoned appropriately and would see the housing occupied by 2010.

Kozman told concerned Riverdale residents that the money committed by the government would be available only for another year.

"If we were to go with lot 19 (clay cliffs), that could add another year to the (regulatory and rezoning) process," said Kozman.

The proposed $10.5-million project is going through the Yukon Environment and Socio-economic Assessment process, following the government's July submission to the screening board.

Also at the information session was Riverdale MLA Ted Staffen, who said he's behind the project as it's currently proposed, but that Riverdale residents will have to be included in the design and planning phases.

"We thought the YESAA process was going to be enough, but obviously it wasn't," said Staffen.

While the environmental and socio-economic screening provides an opportunity for citizens and groups to put their views on the record for any proposed development, few Riverdale residents seemed aware that option is available to them.

When asked if the government informed residents of this venue, Kozman said not to his knowledge.

Speaking on behalf of Riverdale residents was its community association chair, Doug McLean.

Besides issuing a statement that the association believes the housing initiative is of "high quality", McLean said it would not support or oppose the project until the government provided more information.

"We need answers to some questions," he said. "Let's see what's proposed ... it could be a really nice addition to the community."

Among the outstanding issues for residents are "social concerns", that there is an "integrated community approach" for proceeding and that "existing values in the area" were taken into consideration.

Brenda Barnes of the territorial Women's Directorate, which is spearheading the project, said she understands the community's concerns and wants to work with residents.

"That's what this meeting is all about ... understanding that people want to have information," she said.

"We want to engage the community, involve them, and that will help drive the process."