Whitehorse, Yukon - The Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition has announced that seven proposals from applicants across the Yukon will be funded by the federal Reaching Home program for the 2024- 2026 fiscal years. The Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition has administered the federal funding for Yukon Territory since 2020 and will continue in this role until March 31, 2028.
Reaching Home is a community-based program that builds on the goals of the National Housing Strategy to support vulnerable Canadians in maintaining safe, stable and affordable housing and to reduce chronic homelessness nationally by 50% by fiscal year 2027-2028. Reaching Home is administered through the Infrastructure Canada branch of the federal government.
“Reaching Home funding provides greater certainty that people in our community can access the supports they might need,” says Kristina Craig, Executive Director of the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition. “These funds represent a small portion of the investment required to elevate Yukoners out of chronic homelessness across the territory.”
Applications for the fund opened on December 1st, 2023 and closed on January 3rd, 2024. The jury, composed of representatives from government, non-governmental organizations and people with lived experience selected the projects that best aligned with the priorities of both the funding program and local Community Advisory Board*. A total of $3.98 million was allocated to Yukon-based projects over two years. An additional $1.8 million is reserved for the building out of the Coordinated Access system, to create a Lived Experience Council, to complete an existing capital project, and to provide support for housing providers.
“As a recipient of Reaching Home funding, the Jëje Zho Men's Shelter in Dawson City is able to provide the essential service of a safe and welcoming healing space for those experiencing homelessness in our community," says Sarah Beggs, the outreach worker at the Jëje Zho. "We've been able to offer consistent, supportive programming and nutritious meals to community members and Reaching Home funds are a critical element in the continued offering of these valuable services.”
* The Community Advisory Board is a Yukon-based committee formed of community representatives. The CAB is expected to coordinate efforts to address homelessness in a community and is therefore expected to have in-depth knowledge of the key sectors and systems that affect homelessness in their communities. Regular CAB meetings take place every month and special meetings, sub-committee meetings and workshops take place as needed.