Whitehorse, Yukon – [Sept. 12, 2025] – With the territorial election on the horizon, the Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition (YAPC) is putting six key priorities on the table to address poverty andhomelessness in Yukon communities. Poverty in the Yukon is not a single issue but a web of connected challenges. It shows up in high housing costs, food insecurity, low incomes, limited transportation, and gaps in essential services. YAPC emphasizes that these problems cannot be solved in isolation—they require coordinated, community-based solutions that address the full picture.
In July, YAPC met with all political parties to share six election platform recommendations. As a non partisan organization, the Coalition is hopeful these priorities will become part of each party’s platform. Based in evidence and community experience, the actions presented are doable, will have high impact and demonstrate the role the next government can play in alleviating the impacts of poverty while addressing the root causes. “We are releasing these priorities publically so Yukoners have clear tools to engage with candidates throughout the campaign—whether at debates, town halls, community events, or in everyday conversations,” says Kristina Craig, Executive Director. “These priorities give voters a way to press for concrete answers on how candidates plan to address poverty, homelessness, and inequality in the territory into the future.”
Community Action Plan to End and Prevent Homelessness: The updated Community Action Plan will soon release its first set of recommendations. Built collaboratively with service providers, First Nations governments, government partners, and people with lived experience, the plan provides a data-informed, community-built roadmap to move beyond emergency response and toward long-term, people centred solutions.
Expand Rent-Geared-to-Income Housing: YAPC calls for a clear commitment to increase Yukon’s non-market housing stock, with the majority of new units dedicated to rent-geared-to-income (RGI) options. While non-market housing of all types is important, RGI housing is particularly needed because it ensures that rent is set at an affordable percentage of a household’s income, rather than at market rates.
Continue and Expand the Free Transit Program: The Free Transit program (introduced in November 2024 to provide free bus passes and tickets for residents with low income, youth, and seniors in Whitehorse has removed barriers to accessing work, school, healthcare, and social supports. YAPC advocates for making the programpermanent, expanding access, and ensuring enough monthly passes to meet community needs.
Modernize and Reform the Social Assistance Act: The Social Assistance Act, last updated in 1986, no longer reflects the realities of life in the Yukon. YAPC looks forward to the release of the Social Assistance Rate Review from the Yukon. Government as a starting point for reform for creating a system that reduces stigma, administrative barriers and reflect a more accurate basic cost of living in the territory.Alongside this, YAPC supports continued research into a Basic Income pilot project in the Yukon.Together, these efforts can lay the foundation for a stronger, more dignified approach to income security.
Support Universal School Food Programs: YAPC urges the government to maintain and expand territorial support so every Yukon student has daily access to nutritious meals while strengthening local food systems. Improve Data Collection and Sharing Current gaps in Yukon data limit the territory’s ability to design effective programs and measureprogress. YAPC recommends a review of the Yukon government data collection and sharing practices to address current gaps, improve data access and commit to a territory-wide strategythat delivers clear, accurate, and inclusive information across all communities.
Media Contact:
Kristina Craig (She/Her)
Executive Director
Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition
867-334-9318 | ed@yapc.ca