Yellowknife — September 20, 2021
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), in conjunction with the Canadian Red Cross and the City of Yellowknife, is temporarily using the Yellowknife Community arena to provide essential day and overnight services to Yellowknife’s underhoused population. This action was taken due to the significant number of COVID-19 cases within Yellowknife’s underhoused population and staff at the 50th street Day Shelter and Sobering Centre.
To make sure there is sufficient staff available to provide these services, the GNWT submitted a formal request to the Government of Canada for support from the Canadian Red Cross. The Red Cross will be working alongside GNWT staff at the shelter.
The shelter will provide food, washrooms, showers, bedding, and cots. The GNWT and the City are working together to make these facilities available in one location.
The opening of this shelter responds to the need for additional capacity to provide increased safety for underhoused people, to minimize any further spread of COVID-19 among that population and act as a contingency should outbreaks occur within other sheltering facilities in Yellowknife. The operations are complementary to the function of the COVID Isolation centres, providing a sheltering option when people leave those centres. It is anticipated when regular sheltering services resume at the Day Shelter and Sobering Centre, operations of the temporary shelter will wind up.
Quote(s)
“As we have seen throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, partnership and collaboration have been critical to ensuring the health and well-being of our residents and limiting the spread of the virus in our communities. We do our best work for NWT residents when all levels of government come together to find solutions. I want to thank the City of Yellowknife and the Canadian Red Cross for all their work to support our underhoused population.”
-Caroline Cochrane, Premier of the Northwest Territories
“Keeping these critical shelter supports available for our residents is a priority for this government. This partnership between all orders of government will help to ensure these indispensable supports remain available and NWT residents have the ability to access supportive living assistance as needed.”
- Paulie Chinna, Minister Responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation
“We are very grateful for the city’s cooperation and assistance as we work to ensure that critical supports remain in place for some of the most vulnerable residents. The current outbreak of COVID-19 in Yellowknife has severely impacted the underhoused population, and many of the dedicated staff who provide services to them. At times like these it is imperative that various levels of government work together to ensure that residents are provided with the services and support they need. We are pleased to work collaboratively with our partners to achieve this.”
-Julie Green, Minister of Health and Social Services
“The City is committed to supporting our vulnerable populations. By making the YK Community Arena available and working together with the GNWT and community organizations, we can ensure these necessary services continue to be delivered. Thank you to YK Community Arena user groups for their understanding and cooperation.”
- Rebecca Alty, Mayor of the City of Yellowknife
Quick facts
- The Yellowknife Community Arena will be used as short-term day and overnight shelter replacement.
- The Arena will function as a shelter and is not an isolation centre.
- The GNWT and Red Cross will staff the arena and provide transportation for people wishing to access shelter services there.
Related links
- Information for those experiencing homelessness
- Guidance for Providers of Services to Individuals Experiencing Homelessness
For media requests, please contact:
Ben Fraser
Manager, Policy & Communications
NWT Housing Corporation
Government of the Northwest Territories
Alison Harrower
Corporate Communications Advisor
City of Yellowknife
867.920.5696