Several proposals from applicants across the territory to help vulnerable Yukoners will be funded by almost $4 million from the federal Reaching Home program for the 2024-26 fiscal years.

The Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition made the announcement Wednesday.

The organization has administered the federal funding for the Yukon since 2020, and will continue in that role until March 31, 2028.

Reaching Home is a community-based program that builds on the goals of the National Housing Strategy to support vulnerable Canadians in maintaining safe, stable and affordable housing.

The goal is to reduce chronic homelessness nationally by 50 per cent by fiscal year 2027-28.

“Reaching Home funding provides greater certainty that people in our community can access the supports they might need,” said Kristina Craig, the coalition’s executive director.

“These funds represent a small portion of the investment required to elevate Yukoners out of chronic homelessness across the territory.”

A total of $3.98 million was allocated to Yukon-based projects over two years.

An additional $1.8 million is reserved for the building out of the Coordinated Access system, to create a Lived Experience Council, to complete an existing capital project, and to provide support for housing providers.

“As a recipient of Reaching Home funding, the Jëje Zho Men’s Shelter in Dawson City is able to provide the essential service of a safe and welcoming healing space for those experiencing homelessness in our community,” said Sarah Beggs, the outreach worker at the Jëje Zho.

“We’ve been able to offer consistent, supportive programming and nutritious meals to community members.

“Reaching Home funds are a critical element in the continued offering of these valuable services.”

Here is the full list of funded projects/purposes:

• Blood Ties Four Directions: $162,465 – wages for frontline workers to provide eviction prevention services, social and community integration supports and financial assistance to avoid eviction.

• Council of Yukon First Nations: $170,000 – short-term housing for clients leaving the Whitehorse Correctional Centre, support to cover rental and utilities arrears and funds to provide basic needs such as bus tickets, cell phone minutes and fees to process new ID cards.

• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Society Yukon: $409,917 – wages for a Landlord Working to End Homelessness co-ordinator, part-time elder support services and funds for emergency housing and rental/utility arrears.

• Queer Yukon: $442,742 – support for Queer Yukon’s Utility Payment Program, front-line employee wages and funds for housing set-up and hygiene kits.

• Safe at Home Society: $1,029,430 – front-line employee wages, basic needs services, tenant and peer support workshops, rental arrears, emergency housing and housing set-up and a damage/bed bug mitigation fund.

• Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation: Jëje Zho Men’s Shelter: $883,072 – front-line employee wages, implementation of cultural programming, emergency housing and housing set-up and hygiene kits.

• Yukon Women’s Transition Home: $529,952 – funds to operate the Low Barrier Program, front-line employee wages, funds for housing placement and emergency housing and basic need supplies (transportation, hygiene kits, etc.).

Applications for the fund’s assistance opened last Dec. 1 and closed on Jan. 3.

The assessment jury was composed of representatives from government, non-governmental organizations and people with lived experience.

Members selected the projects that best aligned with the priorities of both the funding program and local Community Advisory Board. (The board is a Yukon-based committee formed of community representatives.)

The board co-ordinates efforts to address homelessness in a community, and has in-depth knowledge of the key sectors and systems that affect homelessness in their communities.

Regular board meetings take place every month, while special meetings, sub-committee meetings and workshops occur as needed.

Reaching Home is administered through the Infrastructure Canada branch of the federal government.