The New Democrats have asked the Minister of Health and Social Services for an update on the Yukon Party's 2011 election promise to build a new youth shelter.

In the legislature Monday, minister Doug Graham's response was: these things take time.

"We are looking to relocate the youth shelter from the Sarah Steele Building to another facility,” Graham said during question period.

"I guess the opposition seems to believe that we can do these things instantaneously, but they take time.”

"We have to make sure that we have money available to operate these new facilities, and it's not something that's going to happen overnight,” he said.

The government is working on the issue, he added, and it is fully committed to creating a separate youth shelter.

A non-governmental organization (NGO) has presented a second proposal for a youth shelter to Health and Social Services.

Graham said the organization's first proposal far exceeded the government's budget.

The second proposal is "at least within striking distance” of available funding for a youth centre, he said, adding that the government is still negotiating with the NGO.

Once negotiations are complete, Graham said, the department will meet with various youth organizations in the city.

The youth centre, as proposed, would ideally collaborate with the government and other NGOs as part of an "enriched process of transitional support,” said Graham.

The network would help youth access other services and programs that could be of assistance to them.

"We're considering that option at the same time that we're considering the NGO option,” he said.

Mark Tubman, a senior official with the Department of Finance, confirmed today that no money has been set aside in the 2012-2013 budget for a youth shelter.

However, he did say that doesn't mean the government isn't willing to review the budget and make an adjustment.

Kate White, the NDP MLA for Takhini-Kopper King, said "a safe, accessible emergency shelter for homeless or at-risk Yukon youth has been an issue for many years in Whitehorse.”

Currently, there are four beds set aside for youth in the Sarah Steele detox centre.

It's not a solution, though.

According to White, "Youth are frisked at the door and treated as if they are guilty of some offence when they are only looking for a place to sleep.”

In response, Graham said the staff at Sarah Steele are working within established guidelines.

The Sarah Steele building is primarily a detox centre and there are rules that have to be followed. Staff, he said, do what they can to make youth feel comfortable within the centre's rules.

A report tabled in the legislature by the NDP a few weeks ago, called Plan to End Homelessness in Calgary, makes it clear that youth homelessness requires "a plan tailored to their unique needs.”

The report lists numerous reasons why youth homelessness is unique. Youth are still developing "physically, emotionally, psychologically, spiritually and socially,” it says.

They "enter into homelessness with little or no work experience” and often have to leave school.

The report says they often "experience high levels of criminal victimization, including sexual exploitation,” and often haven't developed skills like cooking, budgeting and job searching.

As youth homelessness increases, so do health care, criminal justice, social services and emergency shelter costs, the report says.

But "investing in youth homelessness goes beyond dollars and cents,” it says.

"It requires ongoing research, as well as well-co-ordinated and innovative interventions to prevent and end youth homelessness.

Ending youth homelessness requires a strategic plan.”