“Continued and chronic delays” associated with Phase 6 of the Whistle Bend subdivision are impairing the development of desperately-need housing, the Yukon Party says.

“A significant contributing factor to the Yukon’s housing affordability crisis is a lack of supply of land available for housing development,” the party said in a statement last Thursday.

“This is because of the Liberal government’s inability to keep up with demand due to mismanagement, lack of planning, and delays.”

The latest example is the delays in Whistle Bend lots, the party added.

On March 7, the government issued a press release stating that contractors would have access to lots in Phase 6A starting June 30.

However, as of last Thursday, contractors were still unable to access these lots to begin construction of housing, the YP said.

“This government-caused two-month delay further limits the ability of the private sector to get housing to market and will compound the housing affordability crisis,” the official Opposition said.

“Phase 6 of Whistle Bend has already been significantly delayed due to mismanagement by the Liberal government.”

On May 18, 2021, the Community Services minister told the legislature the government would release 171 lots in Phase 6 by the fall of 2021.

“While the lots have been released, they remain inaccessible and unavailable to build on more than one year later,” the YP said.

“The Liberals need to start taking the housing affordability crisis seriously,” said Yvonne Clarke, the party’s critic for housing.

“Far too many Yukoners are finding their dream of home ownership disappearing, and the government has unfortunately not done enough to get more land to market in a timely manner.”

To help address the housing affordability crisis, the party is urging the government to immediately identify parcels of land that can be developed by the private sector and provide financial support to municipalities to expedite required zoning and planning with the proper support

“The private sector is ready, willing, and able to help address the affordability crisis but the lack of planning by the Liberal government is unfortunately making their job more difficult,” added Clarke.

“The time for talking points and so-called draft plans aren’t going to cut it anymore; it’s time for real action,” she said.

Because of this “inaction” by the government, the YP said, many Yukoners have seen the cost of housing become unattainable.

In Whitehorse, the average price of a single-detached home was $420,300 in the fourth quarter of 2016.

By the same time in 2022, after just six years of Liberal government, that price had skyrocketed to $695,100, the party pointed out.

“A 65-per-cent increase in the average cost of a house in just six years is staggering,” said Clarke.

“This is just one of the many areas of out-of-control inflation that is making it too unaffordable to live here.”

Asked about the party’s concerns, cabinet communications staff said Friday, “The government continues to make historic investments in lot development across the territory.

“Compared to previous governments, the Yukon Liberal government has tripled the investment in lot development in the Yukon, and we continue to work with our partners across the territory to develop land and increase housing options for Yukoners.

“The Yukon Party boasted about population growth for over a decade, but did nothing to plan for the inevitable increase in demand for housing,” the statement added.

“We understand the delay in accessing Phase 6A is frustrating and we thank everyone for their patience. The land development branch is working closely with the contractor, who had some additional repair work to do that took longer than initially expected.”