Yukon Housing

Why we did this audit

Access to housing in Yukon—particularly for vulnerable persons, including those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness—is a challenge.
Housing is a cornerstone of individual, family, and community well‑being. At the individual and family level, housing provides the foundation for health, security, stability, and participation in society and the economy. At the community level, housing enables the growth of healthy, resilient citizens who can contribute to a thriving society, environment, and economy.
Lack of complete, timely, accurate, and relevant data on housing impairs decision making. It is important for the government to know if it is achieving its objectives and if progress is being made toward meeting the housing needs of Yukoners.

Our findings

The Department of Health and Social Services and the Yukon Housing Corporation did not take action or work together to fix long-standing problems.
Barriers prevented residents in need from accessing social housing. These barriers existed in both the design and the delivery of social housing.
Many of the issues we identified are long-standing ones. Some were identified in our 2010 audit on housing and in our 2011 audit on health services and programs. While the organizations have launched several initiatives and action plans to address housing in the last decade, they have not followed through on many of their commitments.

Key facts and figures

As part of their respective housing portfolios, the corporation and the department fund housing costs directly or fund third parties that provide housing. In the 2020–21 fiscal year, the corporation spent $25.3 million in operating and capital costs for housing. The department estimated spending $87 million in operating and capital costs for housing with services for the 2021–22 fiscal year, of which $11.8 million was spent on emergency shelters, transitional housing, and selected supportive housing.
From 2015 to 2021, the wait list for eligible social housing applicants grew significantly and much more rapidly than the population did. The number of applicants (individuals or families) on the waiting list increased by 320%, from 112 applicants to 463 applicants. In that same period, the population grew by 14%.

Our recommendations

The Yukon Housing Corporation should conduct a review of rent assessment for those on social assistance, housing eligibility requirements, and its prioritization system to ensure that there is access for those in most need of housing and benefits.
The Department of Health and Social Services should, in consultation with housing partners, undertake regular and comprehensive needs analysis, including a review of the use of hotels as temporary accommodation, and take appropriate action to meet client needs.
The Yukon Housing Corporation and the Department of Health and Social Services should work together and with housing partners to identify gaps and improve information systems to provide relevant, accurate, and timely information to support decision making and to report on the planning, delivery, and results related to housing in Yukon.

In this audit, we examined the actions of the corporation and the department consistent with the following goals:

Goal 5: Gender equality—This goal has the following associated target: Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels.
Goal 10: Reduced inequality—This goal has the following associated target: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and actions in this regard.
Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities—This goal has the following associated target: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

Visit our Sustainable Development page to learn more about sustainable development and the Office of the Auditor General of CanadaOAG.

Related information

Entities	Department of Health and Social Services (Yukon) Yukon Housing Corporation
Completion date	17 March 2022
Tabling date	25 May 2022
Related audits	Reports to Yukon Legislative Assembly