Overwhelmed, underfunded Hay River shelter in 'ever-increasing crisis'

A Hay River MLA is calling on the territory to help the town's family shelter, which he says is in crisis.

RJ Simpson, the MLA for Hay River North, said the family support centre which offers a safe place for women and children experiencing violence was poorly funded comparedto counterparts in other communities, oversubscribed, and operating in a failing building.

"Staff are contending with ever-increasing levels of crisis," said Simpson.

"Admissions have increased nearly fivefold in this past year alone. Despite that, the centre has not had an increase in core funding in three years.

"The roof has been leaking for three years, causing extensive damage and making one space unusable. In addition, the space is just too small to accommodate all the needs: there isn't even an indoor play area save for a 3 foot-by-3 foot space in the living room."

Simpson saidthe territorial government stopped paying the centre's utility bill in August 2015, and said its share of funding remained "inadequate even in relation to other shelters in the N.W.T."

The MLA wants a funding formula introduced to more evenly share the $2.85 million the government says it provides to four territorial shelters each year.

Glen Abernethy, minister of health and social services,agreed a formula was necessary but warned it may not materialize for years. He saidwork cannot begin until the territory completes its move to a single health authority.

"Once we get there, we'll move forward with the development of a formula," said Abernethy.

"It might be a year out before we start, but we will get it done in the life of the government."

In the meantime, Abernethy said his department is trying to find $80,000 in additional cash to share between the four shelters to help with this year's expenses. He also plans to visit the Hay River centre during a trip to the town on June 11.

However, Simpson told the minister his most pressing concern was the state of the family support centre's building.

"If the government can't help to renovate that facility if it needs a new building is the department prepared to help provide that building?" Simpson asked.

"Or is it willing to just let this service disappear from the community?"

Abernethy said the NWT Housing Corporation had access to "substantial dollars" to help with renovations and the territory was actively working with the shelter to find an answer. But he said other solutions may be hard to find if that does not work in the longer term.

"If it comes to a point where that facility isn't appropriate, we may have to look at other GNWT facilities we might be able to sell to them for a reasonable price," said the health minister.

"I'm not 100 per cent sure what's available to them in Hay River that might fit that need."