Social services minister says Sask. delivering on requests for more shelter spaces

Councillors, police and other organizations have long been asking for more places to treat people with complex needs in Saskatoon and Regina – and the provincial government is delivering on those requests.

That’s according to Gene Makowsky, Saskatchewan’s social services minister.

“This was brought forward in our announcement on the provincial approach to homelessness and so it was announced a month or so ago now, and that work is underway to bring these facilities to fruition,” he said.

On Wednesday, after spending hours hearing concerns from local businesses and residents living near the location of a new complex needs shelter on Idylwyld Drive North in Saskatoon, the city’s council voted to grant the province a development permit, allowing the shelter to remain open for 18 months.

The term “complex needs” typically refers to those struggling with serious addictions or mental health issues.

Speaking in Regina on Thursday, Makowsky said that location – the former site of an SLGA liquor store – was the best possible choice.

Gene Makowsky, Saskatchewan’s social services minister. (650 CKOM file photo)

“There was a search done for this type of facility,” the minister said.

“This was a government-owned facility, and so it was deemed the best to be able to turn around in a reasonable amount of time, ’cause we know winter’s coming and we’re able to have that building on hand and use it.”

About a dozen local residents, business owners and employees brought their concerns to a provincial government delegation on Wednesday, along with city councillors.

Many voiced their fear that crime in the area would be exacerbated by the shelter, and that the province did not have a clear plan for discharging clients after their 24 hours at the shelter were up.

Makowsky said there is a plan in place.

“Hopefully people that are detained in the facility will choose treatment and, hopefully, recovery,” he said.

“We want to have a process to be able to hand them off to another agency – whatever it may be – to be able to support those individuals.”

At this point, the province won’t say which organization will be running the Saskatoon facility, or when the shelter may open.

– With files from 980 CJME’s Nicole Garn