In recognition of high interest rates, heating costs and the overall cost of living, in March, eligible Yukon homeowners with low or moderate incomes were invited to apply for a one-time payment to help them with their housing costs.

The Yukon Housing Corp. (YHC) received 353 applications from 10 communities over the four-week program period, with 289 of these applications from Whitehorse homeowners, the YHC reported Monday.

Applicants had to demonstrate they were in severe core housing need. That refers to households that spend 50 per cent of their gross before-tax income on shelter costs. Applicants also had to earn $100,000 or less in 2022 or 2023.

The initial program deadline was March 26.

On March 22, the Yukon government extended the program deadline to March 31 to allow Yukoners more time to apply.

It will take several weeks to finish processing the remaining applications and determine the final program figures.

Yukoners approved for this benefit will receive the Canada-Yukon Housing Homeowner Benefit by June 1.

Yukoners with low-to-moderate incomes in rental housing who are struggling to afford rent for a home that meets their needs may apply to the Canada-Yukon Housing Rental Benefit for support. Applications for this program remain open year-round.

Recipients in Whitehorse can expect to receive $1,000 while those outside the capital can expect to receive $1,500.

The federal government announced this new funding on Feb. 6.

The Canada-Yukon Housing Rental Benefit was first announced by the territorial government in partnership with Ottawa on Nov. 4, 2020.

This program continues to support eligible Yukoners.