Four local organizations are using $10,000 apiece to help victims of violence find and maintain secure housing.

The Yukon Housing Corp. (YHC) announced Dec. 8 that the territorial and federal governments are making $40,000 available to the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition (YAPC), Blood Ties Four Directions, the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Society Yukon (FASSY) and the Victoria Faulkner Women’s Centre.

The funding is intended “to help victims of violence access the rental market, which will reduce the pressures on waitlists for shelters and social housing programs,” according to the Yukon government press release.

While applicants on the social housing waitlist are prioritized based on a number of factors including being a victim of violence, there were 192 names on the waitlist as of Oct. 25.

This number does change monthly. A YHC spokesperson, however, was not able to provide a more up-to-date number.

“It’s definitely available to be used as a rent supplement,” explained Meg Grudeski, the YAPC’s housing navigator.

This was the suggested usage for the $40,000 in the government’s announcement.

However, Grudeski said her organization is already using its funding – which the YAPC applied for – in a number of different ways to help individuals or families who have experienced violence find secure and affordable housing.

“Sometimes it’s really nice to have funding that doesn’t have lots of restrictions; it’s a really broad category to be able to support victims of violence.”

The YAPC is doing so by replacing identification that has been lost, stolen or left behind in a violent situation, purchasing bus tickets for travel to and from rental viewings, providing emergency hotel space and damage deposits for renters.

The latter is a major challenge facing prospective renters on a tight budget, according to Wenda Bradley, FASSY’s executive director .

“The damage deposits are very hard for people to get ahead on,” she explained, because renters are typically paying this amount on top of their first month’s rent.

FASSY has already helped five individuals and one family with its $10,000 – which the organization has had access to since September – in the form of damage deposits and rent supplements and payments.

The clients FASSY provides this money to are prioritized based on greatest need.

But, as Bradley pointed out, “There’s a lot of need out there.”

FASSY is moving through its money quickly, she said. The organization will reapply next year if more money is available.

“It’s a great fund. You can actually see the help on the ground.”

The YHC has made funding available for victims of violence since 2014-15 through the Canada-Yukon Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement, according to Murray.

“Our government is providing Canadians not only with safe, affordable housing, but is also working hard to strengthen our communities,” reads a statement from Yukon MP Larry Bagnell in the funding announcement.

Through the Investment in Affordable Housing Agreement and other funding sources, there is $345,000 in the 2017-18 Yukon Housing Corp. budget for victims of violence.