The operator of a housing initiative in Yellowknife reported receiving eviction notices for multiple units following a recent ownership transfer of properties previously held by Northview Residential REIT. The Yellowknife Women’s Society manages the Housing First program, dedicated to assisting individuals in securing housing and providing ongoing support. The society had leased several units owned by Northview, a publicly traded real estate firm.
Becky Broderick, the executive director of the Yellowknife Women’s Society, expressed concerns in a news release, stating that the Housing First program is currently in a critical situation. Approximately 23 units are impacted, with 26 individuals facing eviction and the risk of homelessness. Broderick emphasized the core principle of Housing First, which prioritizes securing stable housing for individuals to enable them to pursue their life goals.
The challenges confronting the program stem from Northview’s sale of six apartment buildings in Yellowknife to Balto Capital and their decision to evict Housing First tenants from another building still under their ownership in the city. Broderick shared a copy of the eviction notice received from Adrian Bell, a local real estate agent representing Balto, citing that the Housing First program does not align with Balto’s operational model.
The eviction letter sets a deadline of October 31 for Housing First to vacate the units and calls for both parties to address any outstanding costs related to damages caused by tenants. The affected apartments include units in Dorset Apartments, Simpson House, and Norseman Apartments.
Despite attempts to reach out to Balto Capital for comments, no response was received. Bell previously mentioned that the property sale would have positive implications for Yellowknife, particularly in preserving older affordable buildings undergoing renovations by Northview.
Northview, in its quarterly report released in August, referred to the sold buildings as “underperforming properties,” noting that the sale had bolstered the company’s financial standing. Additionally, Broderick revealed that Northview had indicated their intention to evict Housing First tenants from their Fort Gary apartment building in Yellowknife, although the society is yet to receive a formal eviction notice.
Broderick issued a public appeal for landlords with available units to consider joining the Housing First program, highlighting the significant demand evidenced by over 100 individuals on the waitlist. Housing First, while not a territorial initiative, serves as a vital service in Yellowknife, emphasizing the need for low-barrier supportive housing.
The Northwest Territories government previously announced a shift away from renting subsidized units from private real estate entities like Northview, opting to develop and lease its own properties. This decision followed concerns raised by a Northview director regarding the challenges of recurring vandalism and violence affecting their buildings in Yellowknife and Inuvik. Housing N.W.T. confirmed that the sale to Balto had not impacted any social housing tenants as they had been relocated.