I am writing in response to the News article of Friday July 22 titled “Tent city studied.”
I can’t possibly explain my anger toward the Yukon government when I read that they “launched another study of the homelessness in Whitehorse.” Do they really need to study homelessness in the Yukon once again? How much money have they spent on fruitless studies? The government has been inactive for long enough.
Furthermore, by only studying the tent city residents, the government is missing on many other people’s needs. If I weren’t currently working in Haines Junction for the summer, I also would be living on the Yukon legislature’s lawn. When September comes, I will have to find a place to stay in Whitehorse as I am finishing a diploma at Yukon College. How many people are living in tents and vehicles other than in the tent city?
The problem is obvious. There are not enough affordable housing, and the solution is simple. Start building.
In fact, the government has never intended to take any actions regarding homelessness. They are just hoping winter kicks in early this year so people go back to their overly priced unheated basement apartments!
Marie Boucher
Haines Junction / Whitehorse