Dealing with homelessness is more than just providing shelter.

It's time to go beyond the shelter concept, and help settle each person who needs housing into a room of their own with the supports they need, city council was told Monday evening.

Judy Graves has been an advocate for the homeless in Vancouver for more than 20 years. Visiting Whitehorse for Poverty and Homelessness Action Week, Graves will give a public presentation on her experience tonight .

She also had a breakfast meeting with council members Monday morning and was set to speak at Yukon College early this afternoon.

Last night, Graves and Kristina Craig of the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition appeared as delegates before council.

They reviewed numerous events which began last week focused on this year's theme of Can you see me? to draw attention to "hidden experiences of poverty and homelessness that make fellow community members feel invisible.”

A number of events were held during the past several days.

They included the Bring A Blanket, Leave A Blanket movie night at Shipyards Park. Families were encouraged to watch the movie under the stars, bringing their own blankets that they'd leave for those in need.

A total of 40 blankets were collected from the event.

Whitehorse Connects is happening today at The Old Fire Hall on Front Street. That event provides those in need with services they might not otherwise receive, such as haircuts, health care services and others.

In addition to Graves' presentations today, she will conduct workshops with a number of NGOs tomorrow before heading back to Vancouver.

Last night, she praised the housing action plan developed by a number of local groups. She noted its similarities to a plan that's in place in Vancouver which has seen a 66 per cent reduction in street homelessness in Vancouver since 2008.

Whitehorse, Graves noted, has a small number of just more than 200 people who need additional support for daily activities such as making sure they get and take their medication, keep appointments and so on.

Many, she noted, have difficulties with those tasks due to a brain injury, fetal alcohol spectrum disorder or other problems.

"Absolutely, support is essential,” she said.

Graves will elaborate on her experience in Vancouver, look at how people can influence how those living invisibly in the margins are supported, and look at the supports required for those in need at tonight's discussion.

It will begin at 7 p.m. at the Centre de la Francophonie at 302 Strickland St.