Communities receive housing money
The Little Salmon-Carmacks First Nation and a Watson Lake landlord have received public money to renovate and create affordable rental housing projects in Carmacks and Watson Lake.
The Little Salmon-Carmacks First Nation and a Watson Lake landlord have received public money to renovate and create affordable rental housing projects in Carmacks and Watson Lake.
The federal and territorial funding will allow the First Nation to upgrade eight rental units, and another unit will benefit from a portable water system.
“This investment will support adequate, safe, affordable housing for Yukoners,” the two governments said in a statement Wednesday.
The Watson Lake landlord – who was not named – will use the funding to construct a duplex there. The new building will consist of a three-bedroom and a two-bedroom rental home targeted for low-income tenants.
“The Government of Canada is committed to making a real difference in the lives of the residents of the Little Salmon-Carmacks First Nation, and we are proud to work with our partners in the Yukon in delivering this funding,” said Yukon MP Larry Bagnell.
He was speaking on behalf of Jean-Yves Duclos, the federal minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.
“We are collaborating with our territorial counterparts, First Nations groups and private sector partners in an innovative way to make adequate, safe and affordable housing a reality for those in-need in the Yukon,” added Bagnell.
“Having worked for Watson Lake, and determined that the shortage of housing was an impediment to their economic development, I am especially happy to be able to make this announcement.”
The governments provided $420,000 toward the Little Salmon-Carmacks First Nation projects through Yukon Housing Corporation’s First Nation Partnership Program and $100,000 through the Yukon Housing Corp.’s Affordable Housing Construction Program for the Watson Lake project.
The ventures are funded under the Affordable Housing Construction Program through the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement.
“These new projects highlight the importance of partnerships with First Nations, community members and the federal government, and address real and ongoing local housing needs,” said Pauline Frost, the minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corp.
“I look forward to celebrating more partnerships and innovative housing solutions in Yukon in the near future that will enhance Yukon’s economy and build healthy communities and people.”
The First Nation Partnership Program is designed to provide assistance to First Nation governments, development corporations and housing providers for the construction of new housing, the renovation or rehabilitation of existing housing and the provision of rent supplements on newly constructed units.
The Affordable Housing Construction Program is designed to help developers and rental housing providers expand the supply of affordable housing in Yukon communities. The program is applicable for all communities outside of Whitehorse.
Comments (4)
Up 5 Down 0
How much longer? on Jul 12, 2017 at 10:08 am
Giving these VERY limited housing funds to the private sector is poor thinking. The developers will rent but just wait out the 10 years and then sell and cash in all that subsidized value as profit and we'll be right back where we were on the affordable rental supply.
There are plenty of Yukon non-profits with affordable housing proposals not being supported. These groups will hold the housing for rental for the life of the building instead, with no need to sell, as that is their mandate. Much better return on public dollars.
I had hoped for better from new government but increasingly disappointed that there's no real change happening past the communications.
Up 6 Down 0
Steve on Jul 7, 2017 at 8:00 pm
It's not low cost housing it's afordable housing! The communities can't charge what they do in Whitehorse!
Up 10 Down 5
Mr Facts on Jul 7, 2017 at 2:11 pm
Peering into my crystal ball I see a fully loaded truck for the Chief on the horizon, lol.
Up 5 Down 3
ralpH on Jul 7, 2017 at 5:11 am
Wow agreed more low cost housing is badly needed and private sector needs to be involved, but is this the right approach? Is every contractor gonna get the same opportunity? Can of worms me thinks.