WATSON LAKE, YT, May 6, 2022 /CNW/ - Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Affordable housing is key to Canada's pandemic recovery, including in Watson Lake.
Today Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for Yukon, on behalf of the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, alongside the Honourable Ranj Pillai, Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation, Stephen Charlie, Chief of Liard First Nation, and Christopher Irvin, Mayor of Watson Lake, announced the grand opening of a new triplex in Watson Lake, which received funding from the federal Rapid Housing Initiative.
The triplex contains two one-bedroom units, and one two-bedroom unit. Two of the units are accessible, and all the units are designated for vulnerable citizens, including one specifically designated for women and children. The building will be occupied in the coming weeks with clients on the Yukon Housing Corporation waitlist.
Three triplexes were built in the last year with $3 million from the Government of Canada under the first round of the Projects Stream of the Rapid Housing Initiative, $1.3 million from the Yukon Housing Corporation and $1.1 million from the federal government's Northern Housing Fund. The Rapid Housing Initiative provides opportunities to build affordable, energy efficient community housing for Yukoners in urgent housing need. The other two triplexes built with this funding are in Mayo and Whitehorse.
New investments under the Rapid Housing Initiative will create thousands of good jobs in the housing and construction sector, grow the middle class, and build back stronger communities while getting us closer to our goal of eliminating chronic homelessness in Canada.
"There is no relationship more important to our government than the one with Indigenous peoples. That is why through the Rapid Housing Initiative, over 40% of all units will support Indigenous housing across the country, including right here in Yukon. This is our National Housing Strategy at work." – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing, Diversity and Inclusion
"The 10-year, $72+ billion National Housing Strategy is working to ensure more affordable housing for Indigenous communities. At such a critical time, these developments will provide community members with stable housing and direct access to supports and other resources, to assist them in their journey to find reliable and secure housing. Today's announcement in Watson Lake is just one example of how we're working to make a difference for those who are the most in need." – Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for Yukon
"Yukon Housing Corporation works innovatively with its partners to provide housing solutions, in particular securing federal Rapid Housing Initiative Funds to build homes for Watson Lake. It is exciting to be a part of the unveiling of such a key community project that will help Watson Lake citizens with new housing and a place to call home." – The Honourable Ranj Pillai, Minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation
"On behalf of the Town of Watson Lake we would like to thank Yukon Housing and the Yukon government for continuing to support our social housing needs. The Watson Lake Rapid Housing Initiative triplex is a welcome addition in our community. We look forward to working with you on many more projects such as this, to help tackle Watson Lake's housing shortages." – Christopher Irvin, Mayor of Watson Lake
SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Arevig Afarian, Office of the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, [email protected]; Renée Francoeur, Cabinet Communications, 867-334-9194, [email protected]; Shannon Ryan, Communications, Yukon Housing Corporation, 867-335-7404, [email protected]
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