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A new supportive housing project in Whitehorse is ready to welcome its first residents.
Safe at Home Society says it expects people to start moving into The Hearth at the end of June after it recently received the green light from the City of Whitehorse to start operating it.
The Hearth will offer permanent subsidized housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
“Housing is the solution to homelessness … so here we are,” Safe at Home’s executive director Kate Mechan told CBC.
Mechan said the units couldn’t be ready at a more crucial time.
The number of people experiencing homelessness in the city has hit an all-time high, with Safe at Home’s most recent statistics revealing that 309 people are currently without a home.
The new supportive housing project is located at the site of the former High Country Inn on Fourth Avenue. Safe at Home Society says it hopes to see people moving in by the end of June. (Virginie Ann/CBC)
Mechan said that number includes about 40 children.
“Safe at Home is seeing a greater influx of people coming in who just can’t make ends meet,” Mechan said.
“We’re seeing people who can’t make their energy bills, and they’re looking for substantial subsidization or support to cover their bills. And then people who just are hungry.”
Mechan, however, said the city is about to see a reduction of homelessness because of The Hearth.
A place to call home
Mechan said the 42-million-dollar project is five years in the making.
“It’s been a roller coaster,” she said.
“It’s taken a lot of kind of tenacity and advocacy on our part …. And I stand by that every single penny that’s gone into this place is for the people … that will be living here. And you know, to me, they’re worth every penny.”
The non-profit organization transformed the former High Country Inn on Fourth Avenue into 67 self-contained suites. The project was funded through several grants, including from the City of Whitehorse and the federal and Yukon governments.
The units will be allocated to people aged 16 and above.
Mechan said they will be able to choose to spend either their income support money or 30 per cent of their fixed income on rent.
All suites include a bedroom, kitchenette and bathroom. Every floor has free laundry and a common space where people can also cook.
Mechan said the building’s name reflects the idea of creating common spaces where people can connect and support each other.
The Hearth’s entrance hallway is decorated with several quotes from people with lived experienced. The notes start with ‘I care’ statements and talk about the importance of having a place to call home. (Virginie Ann/CBC)
“If you think about a hearth in a home, it’s sort of a central gathering place,” Mechan said.
“You sit by the fire. The best conversations happen in the kitchen or around a fire. And so I think we just wanted to kind of evoke that sense of gathering and warmth.”
Mechan said 75 per cent of the units are reserved for Indigenous people and 50 per cent for women.
There are also some units dedicated to vulnerable youth aged 16 to 24 who are either transitioning out of care or unable to live with family or have histories with the justice system.
Safe at Home will offer on-site support workers to facilitate access to support services.