Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jul 03/98) - Yellowknife's Front Door Society is closing its door.

The society, which was started last year to provide refuge and a warm place to sleep for the homeless in the city, has convinced the NWT Housing Corporation to look at the issue and deal with the problem.

"The NWT Housing Corporation has hired a co-ordinator to look at the issue of the homeless and the hard-to-house citizens of Yellowknife seriously and that's all we can ask for," said society chair Vi Beck.

"The corporation has been extremely supportive and helpful on the issue of the homeless ever since it was raised and we're confident they will continue to do a great job."

The Front Door Society was set up last year when residents of Back Bay complained about homeless people sleeping wherever they could find shelter. There are times when upwards of 12 people were partying in residential properties because they have no other place to go.

"We are thrilled to death that the Housing Corporation is taking this issue seriously," said Beck.

Beck said she hopes the corporation will find a long-term solution to the homeless problem and find shelter for them in the short-term before winter sets in.