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GNWT Draft Homelessness Strategy

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Have Your Say on the GNWT's new Draft Homelessness Strategy

To improve the services and programs offered to residents experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming unhoused, the GNWT’s Draft Homelessness Strategy takes an integrated, interdepartmental and inter-agency approach to the issue, centered on supporting vulnerable individuals facing complex challenges.

The draft strategy was developed based on a review of numerous reports and studies, including a 2019 report commissioned by Housing NWT examining the issues and challenges involved in the delivery of homelessness initiatives; and a 2022 assessment conducted by the Health Standards Organization.

Both provided insight into improved integrated-service delivery, and better collaboration between multiple GNWT departments -- Executive and Indigenous Affairs, Housing NWT, Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment, and Justice.

Part of its analysis included examining existing shelter supports, and looking at better coordination of those services, as well as discovering what is needed in smaller communities where homelessness is still present, though not as visible as in larger centers.

Feedback is important as we seek to ensure the Draft Homelessness Strategy meets its intended goals. The draft strategy seeks to set functional zero homelessness goals for all communities, increase the stock of affordable housing, improve access to mental health and addictions services for those experiencing homelessness, and ramp up data collection, sharing and analysis. The goals also include adopting a whole of government approach to the issue with a unit established to provide leadership and accountability for addressing and preventing homelessness.

Further engagement will take place with Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations, community governments, and non-governmental organizations to finalize the strategy.

Public feedback remains important as we seek to ensure that A Way Home: A Comprehensive Strategy to Address Homelessness in the Northwest Territories meets its intended goals.

To improve the services and programs offered to residents experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming unhoused, the GNWT’s Draft Homelessness Strategy takes an integrated, interdepartmental and inter-agency approach to the issue, centered on supporting vulnerable individuals facing complex challenges.

The draft strategy was developed based on a review of numerous reports and studies, including a 2019 report commissioned by Housing NWT examining the issues and challenges involved in the delivery of homelessness initiatives; and a 2022 assessment conducted by the Health Standards Organization.

Both provided insight into improved integrated-service delivery, and better collaboration between multiple GNWT departments -- Executive and Indigenous Affairs, Housing NWT, Health and Social Services, Education, Culture and Employment, and Justice.

Part of its analysis included examining existing shelter supports, and looking at better coordination of those services, as well as discovering what is needed in smaller communities where homelessness is still present, though not as visible as in larger centers.

Feedback is important as we seek to ensure the Draft Homelessness Strategy meets its intended goals. The draft strategy seeks to set functional zero homelessness goals for all communities, increase the stock of affordable housing, improve access to mental health and addictions services for those experiencing homelessness, and ramp up data collection, sharing and analysis. The goals also include adopting a whole of government approach to the issue with a unit established to provide leadership and accountability for addressing and preventing homelessness.

Further engagement will take place with Indigenous governments and Indigenous organizations, community governments, and non-governmental organizations to finalize the strategy.

Public feedback remains important as we seek to ensure that A Way Home: A Comprehensive Strategy to Address Homelessness in the Northwest Territories meets its intended goals.