New homeless encampment in Yellowknife puts renewed spotlight on housing needs

Karl Gardlund has been living on the streets in Yellowknife for about a year now after being evicted from his home. 

He's one of the people who have set up a shelter near the downtown liquor store. 

"I started off couch surfing and I just don't see myself like that. So I built myself a spot. I didn't think I'd have this much attention, but it's a spot for me," he said. 

What started as an area to stay at night while searching for a more permanent spot slowly turned into a structured set up in the downtown area. 

Gardlund said he tried treatment programs and transitional housing after being evicted, but was evicted from his transitional housing as well. He said a mix of not completing paperwork, falling deeper into depression and struggling with addiction has kept him on the streets. 

He said he'd like to get back to the way things used to be in his life. Shortly before he was evicted the first time, his child was placed in foster care, and he often thinks about how he would like to have a safe home to raise his child in.

"I'm wondering what could I do? How am I gonna get my kid back? How am I gonna get myself back to how I was?"

Gardlund said he respects the space around him, frequently picking up nearby trash and he expects the same from those around him.

Yellowknife's downtown is no stranger to encampments. Last summer, a series of tent encampments materialized, some with up to 20 people staying in them as shelters hit capacity.

Peter Adourian, a Yellowknife lawyer representing some of the people living in the encampment, said the situation is hopefully temporary.

He's working with the N.W.T. government and the City of Yellowknife to find a different lot for people to set up on, one with services like garbage and electricity. 

"It would be ideal to have that kind of place set aside for tents as a short-term solution until the government is able to proceed with some of its longer term plans for building and securing additional housing for people experiencing homelessness," Adourian said. 

"Right now both the city and the government are working with me to try and identify those places."

Shelters not exceeding capacity, gov't says 

In a news release Sunday, the N.W.T government acknowledged an encampment set up in Yellowknife. 

"We understand the concerns that may arise when encampments appear in the community. These situations reflect complex social and personal challenges, and our response must be compassionate and respectful," the release said. 

The statement also said that since October 2024, shelters haven't exceeded capacity and that the average occupancy rate has been 87 per cent.

In an email sent out to N.W.T. ministers and local media last week, Yellowknife Centre MLA Robert Hawkins outlined concerns, including the encampment itself, people there trying to access power lines above the liquor store, and partying. 

Extra shelter beds helping 

Tony Brushett, the Salvation Army's executive director, said talks have been ongoing with the government in advance of summer months. The Salvation Army got funding for eight new shelter spots last fall, and Brushett said the increase has made a difference in having open spots.

"Not every night, but most nights there are a small handful of beds available that can be used," he said. 

Last summer, Yellowknife shelter facilities were at or over capacity for long periods, and providers struggled with overcrowding and violence.

Brushett said that while it's very difficult to turn someone away that comes to the shelter, they no longer accept people once they reach capacity.

"Now that it's warmed up, we won't be going above the 39 beds at this point. One reason being the safety and security of all those in the building and the other reason being that we need to keep to the forefront the importance of a longer term solution here."

Brushett said that he could see downtown encampments growing very quickly in the next month. He added that preparing for how things will wind down when winter comes around again should also be top of mind.

Gardlund said for him, he doesn't want to stay in a shelter because he wants to be independent and try to figure things out on his own. 

"I don't ask for anything. I'm a person that doesn't ask for help," said Gardlund.