The Yukon Party is again highlighting what it calls “Liberal mismanagement” of housing in the Yukon.

“The new allocation policy that reduces priority access to housing for women and children fleeing violence is an unacceptable step backward for the most vulnerable Yukoners,” the party said in a statement last Wednesday.

“This follows the office of the Auditor General of Canada (OAG) report that found it took twice as long to provide homes for vulnerable Yukoners, such as those fleeing violence.

“Compounding the issue is the staggering growth in the social housing waitlist. The OAG revealed it has grown by 315 per cent between 2015 and 2021.”

The Yukon Party believes that the new allocation policy “should be revised to improve, not restrict, housing options for women and children fleeing abuse,” said housing critic Yvonne Clarke.

“I encourage the deputy premier (Jeanie McLean) to use her influence with the premier to ensure the Women and Gender Equity Directorate use their expertise to review the changes.

“In addition, there should be engagement with non-government organizations so that women and children fleeing violence and other vulnerable Yukoners get priority on the wait list,” Clarke said.

“The latest misstep in housing continues the trend of delayed, late, and undelivered commitments,” the party said.

“Early last month, the premier took part in a media event at Fourth and Jeckell where he ‘opened’ the building. However, at the time, there was no official move-in date.”

The official Opposition said it has continually pointed out how delays in getting residential lots to market has restricted the private sectors’ capacity to build more housing, especially in Whistle Bend.

According to the December 2022 Investment in Building Construction from the Yukon Bureau of Statistics, seasonally adjusted expenditures in residential construction are down 24.1 per cent year-over-year.

“These delays are adding to the social housing waitlist, denying both NGOs and the private sector from providing increased social housing opportunities,” the party said.

Cabinet communications staff said in a statement they are unsure where the Yukon Party is getting its information from.

“Tenants have begun moving into the 47-unit housing development at 401 Jeckell St.,” the statement said.

The Yukon Housing Corporation’s new Community Housing approach regarding tenant allocation represents a more sustainable way of providing subsidized housing, the statement added.

“This social mix, or mixed-income mixed use’ approach has been adopted by housing providers across the country – and the world – as a central tenet of urban revitalization projects,” the statement said.

“This model was informed by consultation with NGOs, the Department of Health and Social Services and the Housing Action Plan Implementation Committee.”

A percentage of units will continue to be allocated to people experiencing homelessness who are on the By-Name List, as well as individuals who have experienced violence, have a medical accommodation or mobility needs, the statement added.

“Community Housing is about more than just providing housing to those in need. It is about fostering social integration and networks of support.

“It is about building high-quality housing and amenities in good locations that is available to all Yukoners.”

The government continues to make “historic investments” to increase housing options, the statement added.

This includes work in partnership with the Safe at Home Society and the adaptation of the Safe at Home Community-Based Action Plan to End and Prevent Homelessness, the implementation of a Housing First philosophy, and the opening of affordable housing complexes in Dawson City, Whitehorse and Watson Lake.

Additionally, according to the statistics bureau, investment in building construction in the Yukon for December 2022 rose 20.8 per cent compared to December 2021, in contrast to a national increase of 6.2 per cent over the same time frame.

“Fixing the territory’s housing shortage is not something one government or organization can accomplish alone,” the statement said.

“We continue to work in partnership to increase housing options, and we are committed to working so that all Yukoners can access safe, affordable housing.”