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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Paperwork is holding up the opening of the Bailey House transitional home for men, but representatives from three groups involved in the planning and future operation of the facility believe the building could be open for use this December.

"The paper work is the delay," said Mayor Gord Van Tighem.

Jo Sobool, associate executive director with the Salvation Army, said excitement is growing for the Bailey House transitional home for men, which she hoped is just a few weeks away from opening. There are already 20 tenants signed up to move in once the 32-room facility is turned over to the Salvation Army. - Herb Mathisen/NNSL photo

The city follows instructions laid down by the Yellowknife Homeless Coalition. As the project's legal entity - through which the money flows - the city has to get every piece of work on the building signed off by the Salvation Army before it can go ahead.

"Everybody's agent has to agree," said Van Tighem.

The Salvation Army will take over ownership and operation of the building once construction is completed.

Van Tighem said only the installation of the security system and some electrical work remains on the building.

"We are getting closer and closer and closer," said Van Tighem, who tossed out an optimistic opening date.

"Wouldn't it be nice if it was ready by National Housing Day which is November 21?"

Sandra Turner, co-chair of the homelessness coalition, said she believed the building would open sometime in December.

"We are targeting December, but we are still awaiting a firm date based on when the city will turn it over," she said.

The homelessness coalition includes representatives from all the city's homelessness service providers. Money for coalition projects flows through the city from federal and territorial funds and private contributions.

Bailey House will receive around $200,000 from the territorial government for operations and maintenance next year, said Turner.

Despite its tentative opening date, Jo Sobool, associate executive director with the Salvation Army, said there has already been a lot of interest in Bailey House, with more than half the rooms already accounted for by future tenants.

"We have about 20 people so far that will be ready to move in when the place is ready to open," she said. "It's a great start for us, for it not even being open and just by word of mouth."

The Salvation Army has been conducting interviews with potential tenants at the shelter.

Bailey House will have 32 rooms in total: 16 full-sized bachelor apartments and four four-room suites which share a kitchen and common area.

Van Tighem said more than 30 men have applied to live in the house.

"Five have since found a place to live and there were six that were turned down," he said.

"By the time that we turn the key it may be full, when we thought it would only be half-full."

There is no baseline income level that qualifies men to apply for tenancy.

"There are some people that make a good wage that are homeless and still find it hard to live in a clean and sober environment," said Sobool.

"We are just leaving it open for anyone that feels like this is a place that they'd like to be."

The house will offer men a place to obtain a good rental record, which will help them get into an apartment later on.

The transitional house will be staffed by five paid employees, including a house co-ordinator, two night security personnel and two daytime case workers. Sobool said case workers would help the home's unemployed men find jobs and discuss any issues they have.

She acknowledged construction delays, but said this is something to be expected in the North, where work gets done only when busy tradespeople are available.

"I don't feel frustrated nor does anyone else," said Sobool.

"You have to take it when it comes. You don't get frustrated. You just rejoice when it does happen."

She said excitement is growing at the shelter, located across the alley from the transitional home that is nearing completion.

"They are just waiting for it to open, because we see it there every day," said Sobool.

Construction on the facility began in April 2007.

Addressing questions about delays, the mayor said there was never an established opening date.

"There was a target to do it earlier this year, but it's still this year," said Van Tighem.