YELLOWKNIFE (Feb. 10, 2012) – The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation (NWTHC) is pleased to announce today that it will be providing $2.3 million toward the construction of transitional housing for single women and women with children. This contribution to the Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition and YWCA Yellowknife for the construction of this housing project supports a critical shelter need in the NWT.
The Honourable Robert C. McLeod, Minister Responsible for the NWTHC, announced the funding in the Legislative Assembly earlier today. The Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition is spearheading fundraising and construction of the project; YWCA Yellowknife will be the owner and operator when the building opens.
The working name for this new facility is BETTY House (Better Environment to Transition in Yellowknife). It will be located on 54 Street, opposite Aurora College. The building will offer approximately 30 suites in a variety of sizes at affordable rental rates.
Women and children who need support while they re-establish homes will live at BETTY House for up to three years. Those women may have been living in an emergency shelter or may have recently arrived in Yellowknife and have nowhere else to go.
“The Northwest Territories Housing Corporation is pleased to participate in this essential project to support women and children in need of transitional housing. Contributing to the completion of Betty House forms a fundamental part of the Housing Corporation’s overall priority of strengthening its approach to homelessness,” says Minister McLeod.
Mayor Gordon Van Tighem shares his enthusiasm, "It is indeed exciting to hear the announcement by the Minister Responsible for the NWT Housing Corporation that they are committed to a substantial financial contribution to the Betty House. This moves our Homelessness Coalition a great leap forward in meeting their current highest priority to provide women and women with children in transition a hand up toward a brighter future."
“BETTY House will extend the continuum of services to single women and women with children, filling a long-standing gap,” says Lyda Fuller, executive director of YWCA Yellowknife.
“It requires the cooperation of many partners to make a housing project like Betty House a success. We appreciate the important contribution of the Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition and YWCA toward strengthening individuals and families through the work that each of these organizations provides to address homelessness in Yellowknife” adds Minister McLeod.
For more information, contact:
Cara Bryant
Communications Advisor
NWTHC
(867) 873-7853
cara_bryant@gov.nt.ca
Dayle Hernblad
Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition
(867)669-3409
Dayle.hernblad@yellowknife.ca
Lyda Fuller
YWCA Yellowknife
(867) 920-2777
lyda@ywcanwt.ca
About the NWTHC: NWTHC provides various programs and services to make affordable, suitable and comfortable housing more obtainable for NWT residents; leading to the improvement of health and education of NWT residents and the development of sustainable, thriving and safe communities in the territory.
About the Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition: The Coalition was formed in 2000 in response to the Federal government’s homelessness initiative and call for a community plan. As a result of that plan, two housing projects were constructed; one in N’dilo and one in Dettah, operated by the Yellowknives Dene First Nation. In addition, the Coalition provided funding toward the construction of an 8‐plex building operated by the North Slave Housing Corporation. These units have been providing shelter to those at risk of being homeless. In 2004, the Coalition envisioned what later came to fruition as Bailey House. This project served to fill an identified gap in transitional housing for men. With the successful partnership of the federal and territorial governments as well as private business and community citizens, the newly constructed 32 unit men’s transitional home was completed in 2008.
About YWCA Yellowknife: YWCA Yellowknife is the largest community-based non-profit agency in Yellowknife, with a 46 year history of providing housing in the north. YWCA Yellowknife’s housing programs include Alison McAteer family violence shelter, the emergency and transitional housing program for families at Rockhill and residential and in-home support for clients with mental health and developmental disabilities.