While minister responsible for the Yukon Housing Corporation Pauline Frost says the investment is important, an Indigenous housing strategy must also be implemented in the future to improve housing issues for many Yukon First Nations.
The Yukon and Canadian Governments signed an almost $60 million, 10-year housing agreement in Whitehorse today that will aim to improve housing issues for families and vulnerable individuals in the territory.
MP Larry Bagnell says the investments will go towards improving social housing conditions, improve 543 existing housing units in Yukon, and will also provide at least $40 million from the investment to commit to new housing initiatives territory-wide.
Bagnell says the housing commitment is one between all levels of government.
"This landmark Yukon agreement is a direct outcome of a multi-lateral housing partnership framework endorsed last year by most ministers responsible for housing across the country. The framework... will address housing needs in each jurisdiction. Our government is committed to working with all territories and provinces to make sure Canadians coast to coast to coast have an affordable and suitable place to feel at home."
Yukon Housing Corporation Minister Pauline Frost says despite the progress today, there's still much to do to improve housing situations for many Yukon First Nations in the territory.
"As we celebrate the signing of this bi-lateral agreement, we must also acknowledge First Nations have significant housing needs that we've neglected for generations. While we welcome the federal governments commitment to address Indigenous housing needs in Canada, we must work collaboratively of an Indigenous housing strategy that supports Yukon First Nations and honor the self-governance and modern-day treaties relationship with Canada."
Other components in the plan include a initiative to develop a continuous three-year territorial action plan on housing, beginning this year.
The investment is on top of a $28.5 million investment previously provided by the federal Social Housing Agreement strategy.
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