Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai, Ta’an Kwäch’än Council Deputy Chief Kristina Kane and CEO of the Da Daghay Development Corporation Ben Asquith meet for a tour of the Triple Bottom Line Development Inc. (TBL) housing prefabrication facility. Photo Courtesy of Macklen Linke/CKRW.
Whitehorse, YT – In an announcement today the Yukon Government says that they’re providing $5 million in funding that will be put towards the Winter Crossing housing development project which is set to become the single largest affordable housing project in Yukon’s history.
Through the Winter Crossing housing project, 105 affordable housing units will be built in the Whistle Bend neighborhood. The project will be overseen by the Da Daghay Development Corporation (DDDC), the economic arm of the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, and Premier Ranj Pillai highlighted that its collaboration with others will allow for the success of this project.
“This expanded partnership with Da Daghay Development Corporation will create more than 100 new affordable homes while continuing the important work of investing in economic reconciliation with Yukon First Nations,” said Premier Pillai.
This comes as the DDDC successfully partnered with Evergreen Homes and Construction to form a 51 percent Indigenous-owned Triple Bottom Line Construction Company.
For the Ta’an Kwäch’än Council, this project signals the creation of new employment opportunities and apprenticeships. Ben Asquith, the CEO of the DDDC, says that a minimum of at least 10 TKC citizens will benefit from the apprenticeships but far more uptick is expected.
“Winter Crossing is a testament to the continued leadership and shows what success looks like in intergovernmental partnerships,” said Asquith.
The 105-unit project is expected to be divided, with the Yukon Housing Corporation intending to lease 75 units for a 20-year term in a bid to cater to the growing demand for Rent-Geared-to-Income housing. As of January 4th, the waitlist for Rent-Geared-to-Income units was 252.
Construction of Winter Crossing is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2025 with completion anticipated in the fall of 2026.
