N.W.T. government's temporary on-the-land camp near Yellowknife shutting down this week

N.W.T. residents experiencing homelessness who have been staying at a temporary on-the-land camp near Yellowknife have been transported to Yellowknife and the camp is being shut down.

In a news release Wednesday, the territorial government wrote that the temporary camp's lease expires this Friday, so residents were taken back to Yellowknife Tuesday. The government says its focus will now turn to "the development of sustainable, long-term housing solutions."

The camp, which is about 45 minutes outside Yellowknife up the Ingraham Trail, opened in November as the city's shelters struggled to meet needs. It was funded to run until mid-January. It's run by non-profit Northwest Territories Integration and Community Services with $642,000 in funding.

People who stayed at the camp told CBC it was important to have somewhere to go where they aren't exposed to drugs and alcohol, but some who run emergency shelters in Yellowknife expressed concern about the cost and accessibility.

Wednesday's news release says shelter capacity has "stabilized" now and there are enough spaces again.

It quotes Premier R.J. Simpson, who is also the minister of executive and Indigenous affairs, calling the camp "a critical step" in the government's efforts to address homelessness.

"This intervention has reaffirmed the need for a more comprehensive, sustainable approach that ensures all residents have access to the housing and supports they need to thrive," he stated.