Christine Grimard
Northern News Services
Published Friday, September 21, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - The family of seven living at a campsite finally has a roof over their heads after five weeks of homelessness.

Eileen Koe and her six children finally have a roof over their heads after living for nearly five week at the Fred Henne campsite. Koe's family is living temporarily in two units at YWCA transitional housing. - Christine Grimard/NNSL photo

Eileen Koe and her six children had been staying at the Fred Henne territorial campground, after she was told by the Yellowknife Housing Authority she could not stay with family in Dettah while waiting for social housing in Yellowknife. With no one to stay with in the city, Koe moved her family into a canvas tent at the campsite, later receiving a trailer donated by a couple who heard about her situation.

Just as the campsite was closing for the season, Koe moved into transitional housing Sept. 12, getting two apartments for herself, her partner and her six children.

"It was getting cold," said Koe. "They were really excited, just asking when we were going to move in."

Having a roof over their heads means that Koe loses her homeless status, changing where she sits on the waiting list for a permanent home, according to Kerry King, an advocate for the Centre for Northern Families.

"She's still on the waiting list. Unfortunately, when they get into some place their point system goes down," said King.

Jim White, chief executive officer for the housing authority, explained in a previous interview that social housing in Yellowknife is based on need. Essentially, if someone has a place to stay, they are lower on the list than someone who is homeless.

King said because the family is split into two units, they will stay further up the list.

Kate Wilson, director of transitional housing for the YWCA, said that residents there still pay rent, either directly or through income support, as in Koe's case. With the family split up, Wilson says that while transitional housing is better than the campsite, it's not a permanent solution.

"It's separate units, it's not adequate housing," said Wilson. "I would prefer they're in a place where the family can be together."

Wilson said that temporary housing at Rock Hill Apartments is in high demand in Yellowknife. The building's 39 units are almost always at capacity, with a full waiting list.

"Before someone leaves, we always have someone else waiting to come in."

In Koe's case, the centre had to deny another family a unit to accommodate her.

With her housing situation coming under control, Koe said she will soon start classes again with the Native Women's Association of the NWT. Her four school-aged children are attending Mildred Hall school.