Housing advocate fears removing rent control will thwart plan to end homelessness

The Yukon Anti-Poverty Coalition welcomes the government's endorsement of its 29-point plan to end homelessness. The coalition's executive director, Christina Craig, says the territory is the biggest player to do so. More than 100 individuals, governments and non-profits are endorsing the framework, but Craig says she's disappointed over the Yukon government's plan to eliminate rent control. If removing the rent cap puts people at risk of losing their homes, then, she says, that's a problem. However, Craig remains hopeful about the government's talk to stabilize the housing market. Scott Kent is the minister in charge of the Yukon Housing Corporation. His colleague, Community Services Minister Corey Belmore, moved to change the Residential Tenancies Act in the legislature last week, shortly after publicly backing the homelessness framework. But, Kent says, just because the territory endorses the plan doesn't mean it approves of all of its recommendations. Kent supports the general vision, which she says aligns with the government's broader goals around addressing homelessness and bringing more affordable housing online. Dana Hatherly, CBC News, Whitehorse.