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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE -A day shelter for Yellowknife's homeless is set to open this fall in the form of a pilot project, offering counselling services, a place to rest or sleep and readily-available washroom facilities.

The pilot project will operate for three years - during which data will be collected on how the facility is being used, how popular it is among the homeless and what sort of services it should be offering outside of what it will have during the pilot period.

"We are anticipating an opening in the fall, just in time for the colder months, when homeless people face greater risks and challenges," said Sandy Lee, minister of Health and Social Services, during a press conference on Monday at the legislative assembly.

"The day shelter will also provide much needed access to washroom facilities," said Lee. "It's about creating a place where (the homeless) are comfortable to go get food if they are hungry, sleep if they need sleep."

Lee estimated the facilities will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Its location is not yet known, as a service provider and facility have not yet been chosen

The project is being funded through a partnership between the City of Yellowknife, BHP Billiton Diamonds Inc. and the GNWT Department of Health and Social Services - which, together, have committed more than $550,000 to the project.

"The Department of Health and Social Services has committed $125,000 per year over the next three years for a total of $375,000 for the day shelter," said Lee.

BHP is providing a total of $150,000 over the next three years, and Mayor Gord Van Tighem announced the city will be donating "$25,000 a year for three years, aimed at creating useful activities for the attendees."

Both the mayor and the minister emphasized there is currently a gap in the homeless shelter system, as the population has shelters to stay in overnight - but during the day, the homeless are on the street and exposed to some of the dark elements of street-life, such as substance abuse.

The day shelter's goal is to fill that gap.

The project will be governed by a committee of employees of the city, the GNWT, and BHP, said Lee.

This committee will ultimately decide many of the details of the project, such as criteria for being able to enter the building and exactly what sort of services the facility will offer.

Asked at the conference about whether intoxicated individuals will be allowed entry, Lee said. "We have to be careful about not creating a dangerous environment for staff and other people."

She said she does not think all intoxicated people are dangerous - and she hopes the shelter could be a place where they could go, regardless of their vices.

Lee said she doesn't know what would be offered at the facility, but assumed it would include couches, computers, food and cots.