Program offers up to $2,000 monthly rent support
The Canadian and Yukon governments have announced a joint initiative today to offer rent support for survivors of gender-based violence in Yukon.
The federal government is investing $5.24 million in the initiative, which will be matched by Yukon, bringing the total funding to $10.49 million over the next four years.
The funding is part of the Canada Housing Benefit (CHB) program, which is expected to support over 328 households during critical periods of vulnerability.
“The federal government has invested more than $4 billion in the Canada Housing Benefit to provide direct assistance to households in need,” Yukon Parliament member Brendan Hanley said in a news release. “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.”
The program will provide up to $2,000 a month for the first 12 months, followed by a decreasing benefit for an additional six months for qualifying applicants. Yukon is the tenth province in Canada to co-design such a program under the CHB.
Ranj Pillai, Premier of Yukon and Minister responsible for Yukon Housing Corporation, emphasized the importance of the initiative, saying, "No one should have to stay in a violent living situation. We recognize how hard it is to make the decision to leave we want to ensure there are supportive and effective programs in place to help with this transition."
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Jeanie McLean, Deputy Premier of Yukon and Minister of Women and Gender Equity Directorate, added, "Housing insecurity is a well-known contributing factor in the perpetuation of gender-based violence. People may choose to stay in a household where they experience violence and abuse if they are facing homelessness as an alternative."
Survivors of gender-based violence in Yukon can access the program by completing an application form available at Yukon.ca or at any Yukon Housing Corporation office. By mid-summer, applications will also be available at participating not-for-profit organizations.
While this CHB funding is specifically for survivors of gender-based violence, provinces and territories will have the flexibility to use their cost-matching to support ending gender-based violence or other priorities and programs to assist this vulnerable population with direct-to-household affordability assistance.
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