(Yellowknife, March, 1, 2022) – Starting April 1^st, 2022 the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority will be the operator of the sobering centre located on 50^th street in Yellowknife. This change takes effect when the contract with the current operator, the NWT Disabilities Council (NWTDC), ends on March 31^st 2022.

This change is intended to be in place for 6 months while a request for proposal process is undertaken to find an operator for the centre.

Beginning April 1^st, day sheltering services will be provided at the temporary shelter location at the site of the old Yellowknife Visitors Centre, and the 50^th street site will provide sobering centre services for individuals who need a safe place during the evening and overnight. Day sheltering services will no longer be offered at the combined centre. Service levels will be maintained and monitored with the ability to expand capacity if required.

This change comes after the NTHSSA was recently made aware that the NWTDC did not wish to extend their current operating contract for 6 months while the RFP process was undertaken.

Between the temporary day shelter and the sobering centre the NTHSSA will provide essential services to homeless and under housed individuals in Yellowknife. These locations provide a safe space where individuals can access basic services such as showers, food, and laundry and also allows for relationship building and linkages to other health and social services programming. The overnight sobering centre provides a safe supervised place for individuals to sleep off the effects of alcohol and drugs.

We would like to thank the NWTDC for the service they have provided in delivering this program over the last three years.