Saskatoon Plans Comprehensive Overhaul of Homelessness Strategy

The city of Saskatoon is set to fundamentally reassess its approach to homelessness through the Saskatoon Homelessness Action Plan (SHAP), as outlined in a report from the governance and priorities committee. This discussion is scheduled for Wednesday and aims to establish a clear framework for the city’s role in ongoing community efforts to tackle homelessness.

The SHAP is a collaborative initiative, spearheaded by various community organizations, with a target completion date of September 2025. The finalized action plan will require approval from the city council, along with the committee’s endorsement of the current report.

Key Initiatives and Actions

The report highlights several initiatives that the city is currently implementing, which include identifying land for affordable housing and reducing municipal barriers that hinder housing development. Additionally, the city is revamping educational materials and conducting a feasibility study for a proposed community navigation centre. This centre aims to serve as a hub for health and addiction services, equipped with facilities like washrooms and laundry access.

In June, Saskatoon established two drop-in centres to connect individuals with emergency shelters, housing options, and recovery and mental health programs. The report also identifies new actions the city plans to undertake in response to growing homelessness pressures. A point-in-time count conducted last fall revealed that 1,499 individuals were living without permanent shelter—nearly three times the number recorded two years prior. Alarmingly, among this group, 315 were children, a significant increase from just 26 in the previous count.

One of the proposed new actions involves the city seeking collaborative funding partnerships to support both capital and operational needs. Furthermore, the establishment of a community land trust is being considered. This non-profit entity would acquire and manage land for purposes such as affordable housing, civic buildings, or community spaces. The report also mentions incentives for the rehabilitation of vacant properties and the conversion of existing units into affordable housing.

Aligning with Broader Initiatives

The report emphasizes that many proposed actions align with existing initiatives, including the Housing Accelerator Fund and the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampment Initiative. The city aims to create partnerships with the private sector to secure additional funding for housing and homelessness projects.

The SHAP encompasses both short- and long-term strategies. Immediate plans include establishing a daytime drop-in centre, deploying a washroom trailer, and setting up winter warming centres. In the medium term, the city is focusing on an affordable housing strategy and housing needs assessment, which will be reviewed in the fall. Long-term goals involve developing the navigation hub and ongoing support for affordable housing projects.

Shirley Isbister, president of the Central Urban Métis Federation, has underscored existing gaps within the city’s current approach. She highlights a significant capacity issue and advocates for tailored resource distribution based on individual needs. Isbister pointed out that even if all local mental health and homelessness organizations collaborated, they would still lack the capacity to assist everyone effectively.

As the city prepares to move forward with the SHAP, the hope is that these efforts will address the pressing issues surrounding homelessness in Saskatoon, ultimately leading to improved support for those in need.