The City of Yellowknife is looking for a local organization to design and run street outreach services 12 hours a day, every day.
The program would provide safe rides to people who are homeless or intoxicated in the downtown area.
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The recommendation was put forward by the city’s community advisory board on homelessness so that police and ambulance services don’t become overwhelmed by calls to help people who are intoxicated on the streets.
“The need has been identified through several agencies,” said Grant White, the city’s director of community services.
“The objective is to provide a 12-hour service 365 days a year where a couple qualified people would be in a van picking up people who are intoxicated or homeless and bringing them to the appropriate agency.”
RCMP, the city’s municipal enforcement division and local shelters have all expressed their support for the service. White says the city looked at similar programs across the country for inspiration.
The city is currently reviewing applications for the contract and expects to announce a decision soon.
The contract offers a maximum of $300,000 to design and run the program for 15 months.
