FAQs

A Housing Needs Assessment (HNA) is a report that identifies evidence of existing gaps in housing supply and future housing needs across the housing continuum by collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative information about local demographics, household incomes, housing availability and other factors.

The objective of Whitehorse’s HNA is to serve as a comprehensive document that encompasses demographic analysis, housing indicators, unit needs estimates, and government and interest-holder engagement.

Using this baseline information, progress can be measured and tracked over time allowing community members, decision-makers, and interest-holders to better direct housing investment and planning decisions. An HNA is critical to developing a robust housing action plan and informing land use planning.

A Housing Action Plan provides recommended actions that the City should take to close the gaps between housing supply and need. 

Housing need estimates should not be viewed as targets for the quantity or type of housing required. While housing needs help inform housing targets, targets are also shaped by other factors such as municipal and partner development capacity, available funding from senior governments, and Council priorities. The City currently has an overall housing target within the Official Community Plan's Residential Growth Stategy. 

Housing need figures are estimates based on available data; they are not exhaustive and may include limitations, including potential double counting. These estimates are intended to convey the general scale and key characteristics of households requiring affordable, suitable, and adequate housing, both now and in the future.

The City completed a Housing Needs Assessment, published in January 2026, to better understand Whitehorse's current and future housing needs. The Housing Action Plan will build on this work and identify actions the City can take to help address housing challenges and support a wider range of housing options.

This webinar will introduce work conducted so far and provide an opportunity for feedback on the proposed housing action plan framework and next steps. Join the webinar to:

• Learn about the Housing Action Plan
• Hear about proposed ideas and next steps
• Ask questions and share your feedback

Thursday October 1, 6:30 to 8:30 pm(External link)
Click here to register(External link)
Join the(External link) Webinar(External link)

The webinar will be facilitated by Cityspaces Consulting and hosted on Microsoft Teams. A recording will be posted if you cannot make it.