More affordable housing will be built for seniors in the North, allowing them to stay in their community close to family and friends. AVENS, an existing seniors campus in downtown Yellowknife, will add 102 units of affordable, supportive housing, called AVENS Pavilion. This new project will help fill housing and care gaps, improve the quality of life for elders and build a more inclusive community.
3 Key Goals
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Funding for AVENS Pavilion is one of the largest single investments in affordable housing in the Northwest Territories under the National Housing Strategy. Once complete, it will be the largest affordable housing development in the territory.
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This project will provide an additional 102 units of affordable housing for Yellowknife seniors, letting age in place.
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A partnership between the federal and territorial governments, and a non-profit organization show that pooling resources can maximize individual contributions.
Project scope and expected outcomes
Like other regions in Canada, the Northwest Territories has a growing senior population and the demand for affordable seniors’ housing already exceeds supply. AVENS is located on Chief Drygeese Territory, the traditional home of the Yellowknives Dene and the traditional lands of the North Slave Métis.
AVENS is a 10-acre care campus in downtown Yellowknife that provides a range of services for seniors including long-term and dementia care. The current development has 29 long-term care beds and 28 dementia care beds, and 32 independent housing units. The housing and supports operate out of 2 buildings on the campus: AVEN Manor and AVEN Cottages. Seniors’ wellness and respite services are also offered. The Baker Centre, a community space, is rented to the Yellowknife Senior Society, which provides programming for seniors. All housing at AVENS is at capacity.
The new project will provide more much-needed housing and complement the existing housing and support services. It’ll feature 92 1-bedroom units and 10 2-bedroom units that include kitchen, dining, laundry and communal spaces. Each unit will have a balcony or patio.
CMHC, the Government of the Northwest Territories, Northwest Territories Housing Corporation and AVENS are partnering to get more units built to meet the increased demand for seniors housing. This will allow more Northern seniors to age in place and stay in their community close to family and friends.
AVENS Pavillion received $33.7 million from CMHC through the National Housing Co-Investment Fund. The government of the Northwest Territories contributed $5.1 million which will go towards the construction of a new wing at the complex including kitchen and laundry facilities which are expected to be shared with and expand the existing services.
Like all housing financed through that National Housing Co-Investment Fund, AVENS Pavillion will be close to a range of services including shopping, healthcare and public transportation. It will be affordable, accessible and energy efficient. This ensures that it will meet residents’ needs, allowing them to live independently with some support. The new housing will also be sustainable into the future and built for the unique Northern climate.
The expansion of AVENS Pavillion is expected to be completed around mid-2022. In addition to providing affordable housing, an expanded range of support services will be offered. This will improve the continuum of care and quality of life for both AVENS residents and seniors in the larger community.
Initiative Name: AVENS Pavillon
Location: Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
National Housing Strategy Initiative: National Housing Co-Investment Fund – New Construction
Total Federal Funding Amount:
- National Housing Co-Investment Fund: $33.7 million
Project Collaborators / Partners:
National Housing Strategy Priority Areas:
- Seniors
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