The Yukon government will start work aimed at improving housing for women in the territory, it was announced Tuesday.

Elaine Taylor, the minister responsible for the Women's Directorate, said the initiative will focus on increasing access to affordable and secure housing for women and children in need and victims of violence.

Just how immediate that housing will become available will depend on what comes out of a consultation report in January 2008 after discussions end in mid-December.

'We hope to get it started within the week,' Taylor said of the consultations during an interview Tuesday afternoon.

Funding for the consultations and the report will come out of the directorate's existing budget, the minister said.

The Measuring Violence Against Women: Statistical Trends 2006 report commissioned by the federal, territorial and provincial status of women ministers showed a significantly higher rate of violence experienced by women in the three territories compared to the provinces' rates.

It was also noted in a statement that according to 2006 figures, 74 per cent of single-parent families are headed by women.

'For that very reason, we're moving ahead,' Taylor said.

Having stable, secure housing helps ensure economic stability for women, she commented Tuesday.

Discussions on what housing options are needed will take place with a number of women's organizations, transition homes and women living in social housing.

Taylor noted there are also two upcoming aboriginal women's meetings where there will be consultation on the issue.

Just what will happen following the report on the discussions is unknown.

Taylor said there will likely be a number of recommended options that will come forward which the government may explore.

'This new project is intended to enhance the economic security of Yukon women through improved housing options,' Stace Burnard, chair of the Yukon Advisory Council on Women's Issues, said in a statement.

'This initiative is meant to address a range of immediate housing needs for women raised at our recent meeting.'