Thanks to a combined investment from the federal and provincial governments, the Northwest Territories have opened a transitional housing development for women and children at risk of homelessness. Betty House, located in Yellowknife, is an 18-unit building that will help women and children transition to permanent housing.

“A safe, affordable home is an important first step towards a new transition in life,” says Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development). “Thanks to a partnership between our governments, the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation, the Yellowknife Community Advisory Board on Homelessness and the YWCA, women and children will be able to create a better future for themselves.”

The project consists of six bedsitting units for single women as well as 10 two-bedroom and two three-bedroom apartments for women with children.

Funding for the $5.3 million project, which opened at the end of September 2014, includes:

• $500,000 in joint government funding, through the Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) agreement;
• $1.8 million from the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation’s Capital Infrastructure Acquisition Plan;
• $1.7 million from the Government of Canada, through the Homelessness Partnering Strategy;
• $750,000 from the Dominion Diamond Ekati Corporation;
• $240,000 from the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) Yellowknife;
• $50,000 from the Yellowknife Community Foundation; and
• $260,000 from private businesses and individuals.

Since 2011, the Canadian government has helped close to 184,000 households through the IAH. Betty House is owned and operated by the YWCA Yellowknife.