Yellowknife (July 31, 2020) - The current temporary day shelter located at the Salvation Army will be closing at end of day Friday, July 31. This shelter was opened as part of efforts to expand space and options for vulnerable individuals in Yellowknife during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shelter users have been notified of this change over the past week and will be referred to other services as appropriate.
This service was initially introduced when the NWTDC Day/Sobering Centre located on 50th street moved to a shelter in place model. Since the end of the shelter in place program, services at the day and sobering centre have been reinstated; however at reduced capacity to allow clients to abide by the measures put in place by the Chief Public Health Officer.
To ensure adequate space for day shelter services in Yellowknife, the NTHSSA has been working in partnership with DHSS to make arrangements for an alternate temporary location. It is expected this work will be complete in the coming month with a target and occupancy in a new space mid-September 2020.
In the interim all other shelter services that existed in Yellowknife before COVID-19 or were created in response to the pandemic continue to operate. This includes
- The day and sobering centre on 50th street,
- Yellowknife Women’s society Centre for Northern Families
- Aspen Apartments, a voluntary program that provides temporary self-isolation for homeless individuals awaiting test results.,
- Covid-19 Emergency Housing project - the housing program at the former Arnica Inn which provides space and support for approximately 30 people experiencing homelessness who are at high risk for complications related to COVID-19.
- The Salvation Army overnight shelter.
In the interim period while preparing for the temporary day shelter service to reopen the NTHSSA is organizing a distribution centre which will operate 8am-1830pm, 7 days per week. The distribution centre will provide 3 meals per day, essential items (such as water), access to washrooms and hand washing stations, basic case management and general support to the homeless population.