Sask. government pledges $90M to ease homelessness, addictions crisis
CTV
The Saskatchewan government has announced nearly $90 million in combined funding to address homelessness, mental health and addictions.
The Saskatchewan government is pledging nearly $90 million for a multi-year plan to address the province's crisis of homelessness and addiction.
Over the next two years, more than $40 million will fund 155 new supportive housing spaces and 120 permanent emergency shelter spaces, according to a news release from the province.
The new emergency shelter spaces will be established in Saskatoon, Regina, Prince Albert and "other communities based on need," the release said.
The government also says two complex needs emergency shelters in Saskatoon in Regina "will provide a secure and medically supervised place to go for up to 24 hours for individuals who are intoxicated and exhibiting behaviours that present a danger to themselves or the public."
During a news conference Friday morning in Saskatoon, health minister Everett Hindley called the announcement a "starting point."
"We know that there are some significant pressures there in terms of the capacity we need to be able to help people who have complex addictions and mental health issues," Hindley said.
The announcement comes after Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand said his organization's emergency shelter would evict around 30 people using the facility with complex needs.
