by Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jan 16/98) - Having a place to sleep at night, basic comfort in most places, is a matter of life and death during a Yellowknife winter.

While the numbers of the homeless increase, the list of options they have to get out of the cold remains a short one.

"There is no housing for homeless," noted Vi Beck, chairman of the Front Door Society, a volunteer group formed in August to address the issue.

"I think it's going to get worse," said Beck, reasoning that the pressures of territorial government downsizing and off-loading of services to the communities will likely increase the number of people coming to Yellowknife from other NWT communities, looking for the opportunities and services available in the city.

"We're trying to come up with housing ahead of time," said Beck.

Lois Little, president of the Back Bay Community Association, agreed that the problem of housing the homeless is going to become more of a challenge in the future.

"This problem is going to get a lot bigger, with a loss of work and people coming to town with hopes of finding diamonds on the streets," said Little.

Ald. Ben McDonald informed council of one symptom of a shortage of housing for the homeless.

McDonald noted Back Bay residents are worried about the number of people living in a tiny waterfront shack at the end of the bay with no plumbing, electricity or running water.

The shack is owned by two brothers who have lived on the property for decades. But lately it has been a place to stay for up to 10 people in a given night, creating health and safety concerns.

"If we condemn the house down there, those people will be on the street," noted Beck.

The Front Door Society is planning to replace the cabin with a building of similar size with rudimentary plumbing.

Little, who lives across the street from the cabin, referred to the owners of the shack as the "Baileys of the '90s," referring to a couple who lived on Latham Island and took in scores of homeless over the years.

"We have a mayor who thinks we're a rich upper-middle-class city," said Little. "We're building a Niven Lake with estate sized lots and wiping out affordable housing in Old Town."

Mayor Dave Lovell did not disagree.

"When I was a kid, (homeless people) used to live in places like Willow Flats and Peace River Flats," said Lovell. He recalled there being about 10 shacks in the Back Bay area, but said they have been removed to make way for "places like the one Lois Little lives in."

For those who find themselves on the street with no place to go, there are only a few places to go, and they generally fill up early.

"There's always been a shortage of transitory housing in Yellowknife," said Peter Skoropad, who manages the Salvation Army's 20-bed emergency shelter.

"We're very busy," said Skoropad. "During the winter we're regularly filled."

Skoropad emphasized the Salvation Army shelter is designed for "emergency" situations only, and not as a place to stay on a regular basis.

The Women's Centre offers much the same service on a smaller scale, providing five beds for emergency shelter for single women and children. Many homeless are also coping with substance abuse problems. Those under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be admitted to either the Salvation Army or Women's Centre shelter, but they will get help there.

"We like people to be in sober condition, because if they aren't they become fairly unmanageable," said Skoropad. "It's also to preserve the dignity and sanity of the people who are here."

Skoropad added, "We will certainly not turn somebody away and put them at risk."

Those who arrive at the Salvation Army intoxicated are referred to Northern Addictions' detox centre in Yellowknife or the RCMP.