SASKATOON - The City of Saskatoon says a site located at 210 Pacific Avenue has been identified as a potential site for a temporary 30- to 40-bed enhanced emergency residential shelter.
Neighbourhood Information sessions will be held on Sept. 16 with representatives from the city and the province’s service provider, The Mustard Seed. Area residents and business will be invited to attend to learn about shelter operations as well as plans for safety and security around the facility.
The site was formerly operated by the Saskatchewan Transportation Company and is now owned by the city. With some renovation, says the city, it will be suitable for a shelter and meet most of the council-approved criteria:
- Room for approximately 30 beds each
- Beds in an open shelter-type hall (with movable wall systems or partitions)
- Some private rooms (accessed internally)
- An area suitable for office space for site staff
- Showers, bathrooms, kitchen
- Internal and external gathering spaces (amenity spaces) available on site be considered
- Proximity to other services should be considered
- Zoned appropriately if possible, or applicable for designation under the city’s Emergency Residential Shelter zoning provision
- On Feb. 28, city council also directed that any site be at least 250 metres from an elementary school in the Saskatoon Public School or Greater Saskatoon Catholic School system.
If the site receives the necessary approvals by city council, it is anticipated to open this winter. Before the site may be used as a temporary "Emergency Residential Shelter", as per the City of Saskatoon Zoning Bylaw, city council must approve temporary operation up to 18 months. The building will be leased to the Government of Saskatchewan. City council is also required to approve the lease, and the request for a below market value lease rate.
The city has led the site-selection process and the Government of Saskatchewan is investing up to $250,000 for renovations. The province will also provide operational funding for shelter services. Further details will be included in a report to be presented to city council at its meeting Wednesday, Sept. 25.
The search continues for a longer-term solution for an enhanced emergency shelter site. Since October 2023, city administration has been actively working with the Government of Saskatchewan to identify locations for temporary and permanent emergency shelters, and continues to work with the Government of Saskatchewan to identify a longer-term site, or sites, for enhanced emergency shelter spaces. Site options for a permanent location are undergoing the final stages of diligence processes.
Background
In October 2023, the Government of Saskatchewan announced a Provincial Approach to Homelessness that included funding for 60 new enhanced emergency shelter spaces in Saskatoon.
Enhanced emergency shelters provide clients with full access to shelter (24 hours per day, seven days per week). Clients are also provided three meals per day, case planning and access to wrap-around supports to address wellness and cultural needs, with assistance in connecting to services and help to transition to appropriate housing.
The city agreed to lead the site-selection process after receiving city council direction. Since then, city officials have continued to work with the Government of Saskatchewan to find suitable locations to meet those needs.
