The Yukon government, in partnership with the federal government and the local not-for-profit community, has launched a new gender-based violence stream of the Canada-Yukon Housing Benefit program.
The announcement was made Wednesday afternoon by senior Yukon officials and Yukon MP Brendan Hanley.
A prepared statement followed the announcement.
“This initiative marks a significant step in the Government of Yukon’s approach to addressing gender-based violence and the ongoing commitment to supporting a more equitable society,” it said.
“The program will provide more than $2 million annually to help survivors of gender-based violence to obtain and maintain safe housing.
“The goal of this program is to help Yukoners access housing so they do not need to return to an unsafe situation due to housing costs. The program will provide up to $2,000 per month for the first 12 months, followed by a gradually reduced benefit for an additional six months.”
The plan “aims to give recipients time to gain stability before they carry rental costs on their own,” the statement said. “This program is open all year or until funding is fully expended.”
Premier Ranj Pillai said his government “is committed to supporting Yukoners facing gender-based violence. No one should have to stay in a violent living situation. We recognize how hard it is to make the decision to leave, and we want to ensure there are supportive and effective programs in place to help with this transition.”
Yukoners can access the program by completing an application form available at Yukon.ca or at any Yukon Housing Corp. office.
Applications to this program will also be available at participating not-for-profit organizations by mid-summer.
“This funding is expected to help as many as 55 households during a period of uncertainty and vulnerability,” Pillai added. “Stable, affordable housing is foundational to the health and well-being of Yukoners.”
The rates of gender-based violence in the Yukon are three or four times the national average, the premier noted.
Pillai said the applications will be handled carefully, respecting the sensitivity of the situation.
Proof of being a victim of gender-based violence will be established by consulting with various sources, such as social workers, medical staff and other trained professionals.
Jeanie McLean, the minister responsible for the Women and Gender Equity Directorate, said, “This is an incredibly important program, and a step towards ending gender-based violence in our territory.
“We know how closely housing is linked to gender-based violence,” she said. “This could mean 55 folks fleeing gender-based violence may have their lives saved and maybe their children too.”
Housing insecurity “is a well-known contributing factor in the perpetuation of gender-based violence,” McLean added.
“People may choose to stay in a household where they experience violence and abuse if they are facing homelessness as an alternative.”
Access to safe, affordable housing is one of the priority action items identified in the territory’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-spirit+ People Strategy.
The gender-based violence stream of the Canada-Yukon Housing Benefit program “will support the survivors in regaining their autonomy and economic independence,” McLean said.
Hanley said the federal government has invested more than $4 billion in the Canada Housing Benefit to provide direct assistance to households in need.
“With this additional funding, we are partnering with the Yukon to assist those who have experienced gender-based violence, including women, children and 2SLGBTQI+ people, find a safe and affordable place to call home.”
According to the Yukon government, gender-based violence is a significant and complex issue in the Yukon. More than 61 per cent of Yukoners have experienced at least one physical or sexualized assault since the age of 15.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. is providing $1.036 million, which is being cost-matched by the Yukon government for a total of $2.072 million in the first year, with slight increases each year over the next four years.
The federal funding portion of the gender-based violence stream is in addition to $14 million committed to the Yukon government for gender-based violence prevention initiatives through the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence.
