Sask. gov’t providing new space for STC shelter as Lighthouse beds are moved

The Saskatoon Tribal Council will have a new space for its emergency shelter, as the last beds are transferred to that facility from the Lighthouse.

According to the Ministry of Social Services, the last of the 61 government-funded emergency shelter spaces will be moved from the Lighthouse next month, with the remaining 31 beds going to the shelter established by the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC). The full transition is expected to be complete in November, the ministry said.

The first phase of the transition saw 30 beds moved to the Salvation Army.

The decision to move the government-funded beds away from the Lighthouse came in June, following the discovery of 42 Fire Safety Act violations and the court-ordered removal of executive director Don Windels, who used $60,000 of the charity’s dollars to purchase a home for his daughter.

Another common criticism of the Lighthouse was the concentration of services in Saskatoon’s downtown, which led to issues with safety and crime.

Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand outside a new temporary emergency wellness shelter in downtown Saskatoon. (Libby Giesbrecht/650 CKOM file photo)

To support the last part of the transition, the ministry said the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation will provide a new location for the STC’s emergency wellness centre, in order to ensure the people who rely on the emergency shelter spaces will continue to be supported.

The STC will lease the building, the ministry said, and will move its shelter into the new space “as it becomes operational.”

The building owned by Saskatchewan Housing Corporation will become the new home of the STC’s Wellness Centre (Google).

The groups will work together to improve the building, the ministry said, “to ensure it supports the goals of the STC Emergency Wellness Shelter to meet the cultural, mental health, addictions and supportive housing needs of people experiencing homelessness.”

Mark Arcand, STC tribal chief, said the new space will let the organization help even more people who are struggling with homelessness.

“Homelessness remains a significant issue in Saskatoon and the Saskatoon Tribal Council is proud to partner with the province as we try to help even more community members,” Arcand said in a statement.

“As a wellness centre, the Fairmont facility will use the holistic approach to services and healing of individuals we embrace as our relatives.”

Gene Makowsky, Saskatchewan’s social services minister, said it’s important for stakeholders to co-operate in order to tackle social issues.

“Homelessness is a complex issue and requires multiple partners to come together,” he said in a statement.

“This final stage of the transition of emergency shelter spaces will gradually occur during November as the new building becomes operation and with client needs in mind.”