Multi-Year Funding Transforms Homelessness Support in N.W.T.

UPDATE: A significant shift in funding strategy is transforming homelessness support in the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.), with local organizations reporting marked improvements thanks to new multi-year financing. During a meeting at Yellowknife city hall last week, leaders from key non-profits detailed the profound impact of this funding initiative, which spans from 2024 to 2026.

The City of Yellowknife has distributed federal and territorial funds to organizations including the Yellowknife Women’s Society, Home Base YK, the Salvation Army, and YWCA N.W.T. This two-year commitment is groundbreaking, as many of these organizations are receiving multi-year funding for the first time.

Arlene Hache, interim executive director of the Yellowknife Women’s Society, highlighted the financial boost of approximately $730,000 for the 2024-2025 year, with expectations for a similar amount in 2025-2026. “The shift to multi-year funding was transformative,” Hache stated during the community advisory board meeting on homelessness.

“It turned what was once crisis management into a coordinated, effective housing system that restores dignity, prevents homelessness, and creates sustainable community impact.”

Thanks to this funding, the Yellowknife Women’s Society has successfully housed 36 individuals with histories of chronic homelessness and assisted over 120 people at risk of losing their homes through mediation and support. Hache emphasized that for decades, the non-profit sector in the N.W.T. has advocated for such funding stability, and now, her organization can expand its services, including cultural support spaces for winter ceremonies.

The impact of this funding extends to youth support as well. Home Base YK, which focuses on aiding young people, has also received close to $800,000 for the same period. Executive Director Tammy Roberts noted that this financial stability is crucial for both employees and the youth they serve. “A lot of our youth have come through the child welfare system, and it’s common for them to lack consistency in their living situations,” Roberts explained.

Since April, Home Base YK has successfully housed 27 young people and their dependents, though they currently face a ten-person waitlist. As demand for support rises, many organizations voiced concerns about an anticipated increase in homelessness in the N.W.T. over the coming years.

Hache expressed optimism about the future, believing that the success of this multi-year funding model will encourage its renewal beyond 2026. “The government of N.W.T. is moving very quickly in terms of renewing a formalized way of supporting NGOs,” she said. “I believe this is a fairly permanent approach going forward.”

The urgency of these developments cannot be overstated. With the ongoing challenges surrounding homelessness in the N.W.T., the stability provided by multi-year funding is not just beneficial; it is essential for creating lasting change and helping vulnerable populations regain their footing.