Hache said pressure on emergency shelters, including the one she runs for women and children, has increased in recent years with an influx of people coming to the city from the communities.

But Dana Heide, director of the territorial government's income support program, said there is no reason any person on income support need fall behind on rental payments.

"As soon as we have the documentation, we write a cheque," said Heide.

About 200 to 300 of the city residents on income support must make monthly appointments to see an income-support worker and provide proof of their living expenses, such as rent and power bills.

The remainder, about 200 elderly and longtime clients of the program, are on a regular assistance payroll and are not required to provide documented proof of their needs, explained Heide.

Heide said that in emergency situations, appointments are made almost immediately. Otherwise, those on income support should expect a wait of two to three weeks.

After the first two months on income support, clients are also required to prove they are making productive choices, which includes signing up for training or education programs, volunteer work or working.

But even that can be more than a challenge for those whose lives are in turmoil, said YWCA executive director Lyda Fuller.

"If they're expecting clients to do that on a sustained basis when the rest of their life is in chaos, they're expecting energy for coping that just isn't there," said Fuller. "We see that all the time."

City apartment managers confirmed Hache's claim that the new rules are slowing the flow of money to those who need it.

"This is the worst I've seen it," said Linda Volk, project manager for Yellowknife Apartments, which manages the Ptarmigan, Ravenscourt and Shaganappy apartments.

"I've got people in here right now who are still trying to get their December rent," said Volk.

"I've had a couple of women call me, single mothers with kids, looking for a place to stay, and they're putting them off," said another building manager, who asked to remain anonymous.

"One woman had one baby and another on the way. She's been in a shelter since before Christmas and they're still not helping her," she added.

Fuller said the program needs to account for the fact the extreme circumstances in which some who require income support find themselves.

Fuller said that, to her knowledge, the YWCA provides the only transitional housing available in the city.

In the middle of a move from Northern United Place to Rockhill Apartments, the YWCA currently has about 20 units in Rockhill, all of them occupied.