HOUSING REPORT DESERVES IMMEDIATE GOVERNMENT ACTION
After almost six years of studies, the time has come to tackle Whitehorse’s housing crisis in a sustained and systematic way, says Yukon New Democratic Party leader Liz Hanson.
“The Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition this week hit the nail on the head with its comprehensive report that continues to paint a grim picture of the many housing needs facing our largest community,” Hanson adds.
“Now the onus is on government to rise to the challenge and develop an action plan and commit the resources required to address the board spectrum of needs the report identifies, namely emergency, transitional, supportive and affordable housing.”
The report uses local knowledge, surveys and experts to document the problems and propose solutions. It spells out the gaps and remedies in plain language that anyone with a social conscience will find impossible to ignore.
“The NDP has a solid record of responsible and compassionate delivery on its political commitments,” she notes. This is not rocket science. All that is required is the political will of a government that truly cares.”
The party agrees with the coalition’s call for a new, co-ordinated approach that requires the strong leadership of all levels of government as well as the involvement of the not-for-profit and the for-profit sectors.
“Along with the Anti-Poverty Coalition, I commend the government for responding to the housing needs of seniors,” Hanson says. “Now it’s time to take the housing needs of the hard to house just as seriously, particularly homeless young people, the mentally ill, women fleeing violence and those battling addictions.”
Studies about the city’s housing needs number 13 and date back to 2005, with Room to Grow: A Made in Yukon Model of Service for Homeless Youth, says the coalition. It adds, ‘We don’t need to study the issue any more.’
“The NDP could not agree more,” Hanson says.