A new policy aiming to help only homeless clients of the Yellowknife Sobering Centre goes into effect today.
The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority and the NWT Disabilities Council, the operator of the Sobering and Day Centre issued the statement on Sunday.
It reads – “This change is intended to focus the services of the Day Centre on those that are homeless and not receiving support from other community-based organizations.”
The release also says the Sobering Centre will continue to be a a safe place for individuals to sleep off the effects of intoxication.
Some critics of the policy change include Yellowknife Centre MLA Julie Green. Green along with Yellowknife Women’s Society executive director Bree Denning have told other news outlets those who access the centre, have a community there, and shouldn’t be restricted from using the centre.
I believe it wasn’t enforced b/c there is no other day program & businesses, the library & others didn’t want this client group hanging around. The day shelter has also provided a place to socialize. Is it reasonable to expect clients to sit at home 24/7?? #Yellowknife @NWTDC https://t.co/rGcJEeJPWf
— Julie Green (@juliegreenMLA) December 2, 2019
The shelter will also allow community advocates and service providers access to the Day Centre to connect with their clients.
The release adds they have independently and successfully housed 3 homeless individuals.
They also say they have Helped 15 homeless individuals return and reintegrate in their home communities and successfully referred 34 individuals to addictions treatment programming.
The capacity of the Day and Sobering Centre facility is 99 individuals at any given time.
CKLB has reached out to Ms Green and the NWT Disabilities Council for comment on Monday.
