New emergency shelter to be built in central industrial area of Saskatoon
The site is currently a parking lot for Saskatchewan Polytechnic, which is relocating its campus to Innovation Place.
The shelter will have about 60 beds and operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the city said in a news release. Clients will receive three meals a day, case planning and supports.
A timeline for construction and an opening date have not been set yet. Neighbourhood information sessions are being planned for next month.
The permanent location will replace the temporary shelter that opened in April 2025 on Pacific Avenue, in the city's downtown, which is only supposed to be open for 18 months.
The number of homeless people in Saskatoon has been increasing. A point-in-time count on Oct. 8, 2024, identified 1,499 people experiencing homelessness, nearly three times higher than the previous count in 2022, which identified 550.
The city is working on developing a Saskatoon Homelessness Action Plan, which passed the committee stage last month and is expected to be considered for approval this fall.
The provincial government will lead the design and construction of the new facility on 31st Street E. and fund ongoing operations. The shelter will be operated by The Mustard Seed, a Christian non-profit organization.
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