The Safe at Home Society and its ex-High Country Inn renovations project are in the money following some federal government announcements made at noon Wednesday in Whitehorse.

Yukon MP Brendan Hanley cracked open the federal wallet at a news conference in front of the former High Country Inn on Fourth Avenue.

Ottawa is providing just more than $19 million toward the inn’s expensive refurbishment by the Safe At Home Society.

“The Hearth” project began nearly two years ago but has been hampered by rising costs and funding issues since then. The spiralling costs of renovations and construction have bumped the project expenditure up to an estimated $40 million.

When the work is finished on the building – once known as the YWCA and the Fourth Avenue Residence – it will host 67 units and a maximum of 82 residents who need a place to stay.

According to Kate Mechan, the society’s executive director, those residents will be selected from a waiting list. Many of those people will be Indigenous, said Mechan, and units for women will also be a priority.

“This will be a hub,” she said.

There will be 24-hour support available to residents.

Mechan spoke passionately about the importance of the project.

She said there are currently 154 people on the “by-name” waiting list from which applicants will be chosen.

That’s a reduction in numbers from what has been previously calculated, she said, but that’s not necessarily a good thing.

Some of the decline, she explained, is from people on the list passing away. Others have basically fallen through the cracks and away from support services, at least partly due to long wait times for assistance.

The society, and other organizations, Mechan suggested, are simply losing track of some of these people.

“We’re losing people at tragically high rates,” she said.

Mechan traced the origins of the project to renovate the inn back to 2020. Since then, it’s been an education in manoeuvring and navigating the arcane system of government grants and permits and processes.

“It’s been shockingly difficult,” she said.

The project is now slated to open in April 2026. 

A news release followed the announcement with more details.

“Demolition on The Hearth project is near completion and structural and exterior envelope upgrades are underway. This will allow interior construction to proceed through the winter months. The project remains on schedule, with a goal to open in late winter 2026.”

Last February, the Yukon government announced investments and commitments totalling $12.9 million to support the Safe at Home Society’s project to help end and prevent homelessness in downtown Whitehorse.

“By working together with the Government of Canada and the Safe at Home Society, we are providing safe, supportive and permanent housing that is essential for improving Yukoners’ well-being,” said Premier Ranj Pillai.

“These efforts reflect the Government of Yukon’s commitment to innovation and partnership and strengthening opportunities to ensure that all Yukoners have access to essential support and services.”

Health and Social Services Minister Tracy-Anne McPhee called the project “a meaningful step towards implementing the Downtown Whitehorse Safety Response Action Plan. I look forward to continuing to work closely with Safe at Home and Yukon Housing Corporation to provide safe, affordable homes for the most vulnerable Yukoners.”