A large, wooden deck has been erected across the street from the Niven Gate sign on 48 Street so homeless people have a level place to erect their tents.
Yellowknifer was told the structure is the brainchild of homelessness activist Georgina Frankie who told the publication a press conference will be held at the deck's location at 6 p.m., without providing further comment. The Niven Gate marks the entrance to the Niven Lake subdivision -- one of the newest and most upscale residential neighbourhoods in the city.
After initially stating the city was not aware of the structure, a city hall official stated Thursday that the deck is on Commissioner's land, and responsibility for it lies with the territorial government.
Renee Sanderson is the executive director for the Yellowknife Women’s Society, which runs a women's shelter in the city. She said she wasn't surprised when she saw the deck, adding there are others like it across the city, just not of this size.
Sanderson said structures like these are the result of a lack of available housing.
"We don't have affordable housing," Sanderson said frankly. "And the shelters are over capacity. I know for us, we are over capacity."
Sanderson added one of the reasons people are setting up their own tents is because shelter's aren't exactly safe either. "You're putting a lot of people into a small space and some of these individuals have mental health issues and substance abuse and it could create an unsafe environment."
It's a clear sign that there needs to be more space for people, said Sanderson. She added she's hoping the new structure will be a wake up call to the city.
"We've seen, even from COVID, our numbers in shelters and even accessing support have increased," said Sanderson. "After evacuation, we've seen another increase. I hope this is a wake up call. And if they tear it down, I hope they provide other options for them."