Klondike Development Organization opens 8 new units of affordable rental housing

Logo: Government of Canada (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

Logo: Government of Yukon (CNW Group/Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation)

DAWSON, YT, May 31, 2019 /CNW/ - A new eight-unit affordable housing building officially opened at 1075 Third Avenue in Dawson City today with tenants able to move in starting June 1, 2019. The Governments of Canada and Yukon provided $900,000 to the Klondike Development Organization through Yukon Housing Corporation program to complete the project, which is the second affordable rental building completed in two years.

The two-storey design is similar to the previous affordable housing building with six 44-square-metre one-bedroom units, and two 55-square-metre two-bedroom units.

Quotes:

"As a government, we are committed to supporting housing options to make Yukon communities healthy, vibrant and sustainable. We are excited to continue to support the work of the Klondike Development Organization to address the need for stable and affordable housing in Dawson." — Pauline Frost, Minister Responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation

"Funding rental housing projects like this, in collaboration with the Government of Yukon and local partners like the Klondike Development Organization, is vital to improving quality of life and keeping homes safe and affordable here in Dawson, and in communities across Yukon." — Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon

"KDO is proud to be providing affordable rental housing solutions with the assistance of funding programs provided by CMHC and Yukon Housing Corporation, and important development incentives from the City of Dawson. From a community-based economic development standpoint, this project checks several boxes: creating stable, year-round rentals, supports our labour market, and its 3rd avenue location contributes to downtown revitalization as well as increased accessibility and minimized reliance on vehicle use. We're especially pleased that this project was executed by local contractors and crews sourcing materials locally so that the development of this housing directly supports Dawson City's economy, particularly through the winter."

 — Jackie Olson, President, Klondike Development Organization

Quick facts:

• The Klondike Development Organization broke ground in September. Construction, by local companies, continued throughout the winter.
• The City of Dawson supported the project through its Development Incentive Policy.
• This project received $500,000 through the Municipal Matching Rental Construction Grant and $400,000 from the Affordable Rental Construction Program. These programs, through the Yukon Housing Corporation, provide community organizations and developers with financial support to build affordable housing options for Yukoners.
• The Affordable Housing Construction Program was made possible under the Canada-Yukon Investment in Affordable Housing agreement.
• The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS)—an ambitious 10-year, $40 billion plan that will create 100,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units and reduce chronic homelessness by 50 percent.
• Thanks to new investments proposed in Budget 2019, Canada's National Housing Strategy will be a 10-year, $55 billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home.
• The NHS is built on strong partnerships between federal, provincial and territorial governments, and on continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private sectors to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians. 

Associated links:

As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. For more information, please visit cmhc.ca or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca

To learn more, visit Yukon Housing Corporation programs

SOURCE Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

Media contacts: Susan Moorhead Mooney, Hon. Larry Bagnell P.C., M.P., 867-668-6565, [email protected]; Lisa Bucher, Cabinet Communications, 867-332-0480, [email protected]; Sarah Murray, Communications, Yukon Housing Corporation, 867-334-8712, [email protected]; Gabriel Teo, CMHC, 604-737-4137, [email protected]

Related Links

www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca