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CTV News
a day ago
- General
- CTV News
Sask. opening two seasonal drop-in shelters for Saskatoon's homeless community
WATCH: Saskatoon councillors got an update on the long search for a location for a permanent 60-bed homeless shelter. WATCH: Saskatoon councillors got an update on the long search for a location for a permanent 60-bed homeless shelter. Two new drop-in centres are opening in Saskatoon to give homeless people a safe place to stay. The provincial government, the City of Saskatoon and the Saskatoon Tribal Council combined to announce the opening of a daytime drop-in centre and an overnight drop-in centre by the beginning of next week. 'We know that all the shelters are maxed out currently. So, this will be a good opportunity in this area to really help people … in a safe place during the day,' STC Chief Mark Arcand said. Station 20 West will host the daytime drop-in centre from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., where access to support services will be available. The STC's Sawēyihtotān project will offer outreach services, which include connections to housing, coordinated access systems and recovery and mental health programs. Both locations will be open for the next four months. Arcand says Station 20 will be able to accommodate up to 40 people to start, and White Buffalo will be able to accommodate 20 people when it opens on either Sunday or Monday. Arcand, the city and the province feel Station 20's ability connect people with the services they need, which can be tough to navigate on their own, while having the support and transportation of Sawēyihtotān, is what gives them confidence in seeing results from these temporary spaces. 'Location is key,' Arcand said. 'People say not in my backyard. Well, this board has actually said 'yeah, put it here. It's a need.'' 'The ability to have more folks willing to come in, check it out, and be a part of at least exploring what access to services might look like will be strengthened because it's being led by the Saskatoon Tribal Council,' Mayor Cynthia Block said. These spaces are designated to give people a place to stay during the summer months after two similar winter overnight warming shelters, one at the Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre and the other run by the Salvation Army at St. Mary's Parish, closed on March 31. For children 16 and older, Arcand says White Buffalo will be there to keep kids safe who might be fleeing home for a variety of reasons and need somewhere to be. He said there isn't an age cap, but people in their mid-20s might be referred somewhere else. Staff will call provincial social services for anyone younger than 16. Block said while a 24-hour drop-in centre would be ideal, the hub model being presented and the data STC will gather from people walking through the doors will be vital to forming the next steps. 'Each person is their own individual. They've all got their individual stories; they've all got their individual backgrounds and it's up to us to be able to work with each of those individuals to identify the barriers that they may have, and then to overcome those barriers,' Minister of Social Services Terry Jenson said. Neither Jenson, nor Block, had a concrete update on the search for a permanent shelter. Jenson said Prince Albert city council approved a location for its permanent shelter Monday evening, and Regina's permanent shelter is set to open later this summer. Block said more than 100 sites have been searched. Jenson reiterated while it's the province's responsibility to run shelters, it's the city's responsibility to find a suitable location.
CTV News
28-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘It's devastating' Saskatoon homeless count finds staggering rise in unhoused children
The city of Saskatoon's most recent point in time (PIT) count shows that the unhoused population has nearly tripled in two years, with a total of 1,499. 'It's devastating. It's heartbreaking. It's unacceptable. And it's a call to action,' said Saskatoon mayor, Cynthia Block. Conducted last October, over 200 volunteers counted and surveyed individuals experiencing homelessness. Now, the findings of that count have been analyzed and broken down for public use. One of the most notable findings includes the 315 children (aged 0-12) who were counted. This is a staggering jump from the previous count two years prior, which accounted for 26 children. 'We've got we don't change this now, in the next ten years, they'll still be in the same situation and potentially their kids. The system will just continue,' Chief Mark Arcand, of the Saskatoon Tribal Council said. Lesley Anderson, director of planning & development for the City of Saskatoon shared that during the count, efforts were made to check in with transitional supportive housing. Many of these facilities served children, who reported being unhoused. 'That has a very limited time frame. That's typically a 90 day stay. So it's not secure. It's not long term. It doesn't provide for that stability. But we do know that there are both children that are on the street, that are with either their families or some alone,' In addition to the children counted, 175 youth (aged 13-24) were counted. Here are the results broken down by age: 21 percent Children (0-12) 11.71 percent youth (13-24) 50.1 percent adults (25-64) 1.7 percent seniors (65+) 15.5 percent did not specify Another concerning statistic is the fact that 80 percent of those experiencing homelessness are Indigenous. This is a staggering over representation compared to the fact that the Indigenous population makes up only 12 percent of Saskatoon's population. 'This is not an Indigenous issue. This is a community issue. This is a provincial issue. This is a national issue, but it is all of us. Unless or until people have housing, have homes, have those wraparound supports, this isn't going to change and it is unacceptable,' Block said. When it comes to the contributing factors which lead to those surveyed being unhoused, various health challenges were reported: 82.3 percent dealing with substance abuse issues 60.6 percent experienced mental health issues 57.3 percent living with illness or medical condition 48 percent have a physical limitation 39.2 have a learning or cognitive limitation Anderson added that the stories of each person surveyed were unique. But there were some common themes in terms of how individuals found themselves without shelter. 'Evictions were noted as the main factor contributing to homelessness. While insufficient income is also a contributor for many,' Anderson said While the results are alarming, Block expressed that the report itself is crucial when it comes to implementing change. 'When we have truth, we can do better because we understand the problem like this one are actually helpful because it does help us understand what the real problem is. It does help us understand that we may need to pivot in order to achieve what is necessary,' Block said. Officials in attendance all agreed that the results of the PIT count display a clear need for systemic change. 'We have to change a system. We have to have partners and people that are willing to roll up their sleeves and have the tough discussions,' Arcand said. Premier Scott Moe spoke to the topic during a press conference on Tuesday morning, where he expressed concern over the fact that over 80 percent of those counted reported dealing with addiction issues. 'We need to take a very holistic approach in providing recovery opportunities for those individuals. Enforcing the law when it comes to individuals that are bringing those poisons into our communities. And providing assisted, supportive, transitional housing for those that are making every effort in their recovery journey,' Moe said. Mayor Block expressed that the necessary solutions to the problem will require action from all levels of government. 'Municipalities are on the front lines of homelessness, but we do not have all the tools to solve it. We don't do health care, we don't do social services. These are the primary responsibilities of the provincial government, and we are working earnestly with them to help to frame a different way forward,' Block said. Arcand added that these numbers are showing a need for change, and there will need to be collaboration from various organizations in order to see that happen. 'It's like a cry for help. In my opinion, when we almost triple in two years I look at it failures about how we can change systems. But it takes an investment to help people,' Arcand said.
Global News
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Saskatoon faces record high levels of homelessness
City officials gathered on Tuesday, May 27th, to share the results of the 2024 Point in Time (PiT) report. The report revealed that nearly 1,500 individuals are facing homelessness in Saskatoon with a shocking 315 of those individuals being children. The report shows that while Indigenous peoples make up less than 12 per cent of Saskatoon's population, they make up more than 80 per cent of the homeless population. 'We have an obligation to help people; it doesn't matter where they are from. That is all of our responsibility,' says Saskatoon Tribal Chief Mark Arcand in response. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Mental health and addictions were the most frequently reported challenges with 80 per cent of respondents saying they have a substance issue and 60 percent saying they have mental health struggles. Story continues below advertisement The PiT shows that although more people are out on the streets, the use of emergency shelters in the city dropped by 77 per cent since 2022. The top reason for homelessness according to the report was due to evictions and insufficient income. The NDP opposition believe this is due to a decrease in funding for repairs in Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Units, revealing that 3,000 units are currently vacant. In response, the Saskatchewan Government says that $9.2 million in new funding will also start multi-year repair and renovation projects to 285 Saskatchewan Housing Corporation owned units. 'In the coming year, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation will repair up to 1,600 provincially owned housing units and provide 350 more households with safe and affordable housing this year compared to last year,' said Social Services Minister Terry Jenson in a statement to Global News. Watch the video above to learn more about the PiT study.
