In late September 2023, tenants in 19 subsidized housing units in Watson Lake, Yukon, were told they might face eviction as early as January 2024, following a potential sale of the homes. The properties, originally intended for Indigenous tenants, were owned by the Tintina Housing Society but were taken over by Deloitte in 1998 after a court ruling. Tenants, such as Colleen Dennis and Agnes Reid, received eviction notices, with some being told their homes would be decommissioned. However, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) intervened, blocking Deloitte’s sale plans and halting eviction notices. By October 17, Deloitte confirmed the sale process was terminated, and tenants’ leases would remain intact.
Tintina Housing provides crucial low-income housing for Indigenous people living off-reserve, but its future has been uncertain due to legal battles and management by Deloitte. The CMHC’s efforts to halt the sale aim to ensure tenant stability, as local leaders like Watson Lake Mayor Lauren Hanchar and the Daylu Dena Council have expressed concerns about the impact on the community. Evictions in the past, such as one in March 2023, have already displaced residents, exacerbating the housing crisis for vulnerable tenants.
Read the full story on CBC: