Regina Woman Advocates for Change in Houselessness Crisis

Tanya Fleury, a Regina resident, is calling for compassion and meaningful change in the city’s approach to houselessness. Currently residing at New Beginnings shelter, she shared her personal story during a community gathering on August 16, 2023, aimed at discussing the City of Regina’s homelessness strategy. Fleury, who has experienced houselessness for several years, emphasized that people in similar situations deserve dignity and support, stating, “We’re not garbage. We’re people and we should treat them like humans.”

At 52 years old, Fleury never anticipated ending up in a shelter. Her journey into homelessness is intertwined with personal struggles, including an addiction to drugs and the devastating loss of her son two years ago. Now sober, she hopes to enter a recovery treatment center closer to family. “It’s really hard, how people look at you,” she remarked, illustrating the stigma surrounding houselessness.

Fleury’s narrative resonated with many attendees, as she urged the city to reconsider its tactics regarding homelessness. She highlighted the need for supportive housing, advocating for the establishment of designated encampment sites where individuals can reside without fear of eviction. “Taylor Field’s sitting there, already blocked off. It would be a place (to go) instead of sleeping somewhere and then the cops just kick you out — that’s not solving anything,” she asserted.

Community Voices Demand Action

The community gathering, organized by local advocates, was designed to amplify the voices of those affected by houselessness. Mandla Mthembu, one of the event organizers, stressed the importance of listening to the experiences of individuals living in encampments. “If we don’t have policy that reflects what people who are actually living in encampments are experiencing, we’re never going to get out of this problem,” Mthembu stated.

Fleury’s concerns align with the sentiments of several residents and grassroots volunteers who have proposed a citizen-designed encampment strategy. First announced in July, this plan seeks to end the removal of encampments from city property and to repeal bylaws prohibiting overnight camping in city parks. Additionally, the group is urging the city to lobby the provincial government to enhance income and housing supports for those in need.

The urgency of this issue is underscored by recent statistics. Regina’s latest point-in-time count recorded **824 individuals** experiencing some form of houselessness last fall, nearly double the **426** identified in 2021. Earlier this year, Namerind Housing Corporation, which is integral to Canada’s homelessness strategy, estimated that it would require **$111 million** to effectively end homelessness in the Saskatchewan capital.

City Council to Discuss Policy Changes

The Regina city council plans to review the current encampment policy at its next executive committee meeting on **August 20, 2023**. The city has recently hired a coordinator to assess and update its encampment response strategy, reflecting a growing recognition of the complexity surrounding homelessness in the region.

Fleury’s call for change is a reminder of the humanity behind the statistics. As she articulates the struggles faced by those without stable housing, it becomes clear that addressing the issue requires not just policy changes, but also a shift in societal perceptions. “When you don’t have anything and the city pushes you away too, what do you have to live for? No one wants you. That’s what we think,” she concluded, urging the community to view individuals experiencing houselessness through a lens of empathy and understanding.

The ongoing dialogue surrounding houselessness in Regina underscores a critical need for comprehensive strategies that prioritize the well-being of all residents, ensuring that no one is left behind.