Sask. government announces $90M to address homelessness, addictions crisis, but experts say it's not enough
CBC
The Saskatchewan government made a series of funding announcements Friday, with a combined total of almost $90 million going to combat homelessness, and address mental health and addictions in the province.
Community groups say it is not enough.
The "new provincial approach to homelessness" includes supportive housing spaces, emergency shelter spaces, enhanced community safety and outreach responses, and emergency shelter spaces for people with complex needs.
The province announced $40.2 million in new funding in the next two years to provide following supports across Saskatchewan:
Gene Makowsky, Saskatchewan's minister of social services, said the government will develop 155 new supportive housing units in Regina and Saskatoon to provide on-site and visiting support, as well as connection to wrap-around services.
He said some of those spaces will be converted from units owned by the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation.
Makowsky said the new permanent emergency shelter spaces will be in Regina, Saskatoon, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw and other communities based on need.
"This means there will be approximately 500 permanent emergency shelter spaces available this winter across Saskatchewan," Makowsky said.
"As we move forward, the province will move to a model of smaller emergency shelters to avoid concentration of vulnerable people in one area."
Makowsky said the 15 new emergency shelter spaces for people with complex needs in Regina and Saskatoon will be places where an intoxicated person can stay up to 24 hours. The funding will also implement additional community safety and outreach responses.
"Together, and with community partners, we will work to improve the lives of Saskatchewan people who are struggling with addictions and mental health challenges to support their transition to stable and supportive housing," he said.
The government also announced a new action plan for mental health and addictions intended to create 500 new addictions treatment spaces and a central intake system by 2027-28.
Tim McLeod, the minister of mental health and addictions, seniors and rural and remote health, said it would mean $49.4 million in funding when fully implemented in the fifth year of the plan.
He said the new action plan will have three priorities.