Saskatoon’s Lighthouse sold to Saskatchewan Housing Corporation

The saga of Saskatoon’s Lighthouse continued Tuesday, when the shelter was sold.

The Court of King’s Bench approved the sale of the Lighthouse to the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) on Monday. The corporation is to take possession Jan. 5.

“Through this investment, we are providing safety and stability for Lighthouse tenants,” Gene Makowsky, Saskatchewan’s social services minister and the minister responsible for the SHC, said in a media release.

“We want to ensure all people who currently reside at that location continue to have access to services and supports that help maintain their connection to housing as we work with them to transition to alternate accommodations in the community.”

The government didn’t say how much the SHC is paying for the Saskatoon property.

The shelter has been mired in controversy in recent years, and this year, was placed in receivership after a court battle. A Saskatoon judge granted full receivership of the Lighthouse and all of its assets to tax and accounting firm MNP Ltd. in April.

Later that month, MNP was given the green light to sell the Lighthouse’s Battlefords property.

According to the government, Lighthouse residents “will transition to subsidized or supportive housing in the community, based on their individual needs” over the next two to three years.

“Saskatchewan Housing Corporation will immediately begin work with community partners to identify suitable alternate accommodations for the tenants,” the release said. “This will require a co-ordinated and planned approach to meet individual and community needs.

“Once alternate housing and support services are in place and long-term transition plans are complete, SHC plans to divest the property.”

The release didn’t say what the corporation would do with the property.

Once the property changes hands, admissions will be stopped. The government said it will issue a Request for Services to find an organization that can provide programs and services to Lighthouse residents at the current location or possibly in a new location or locations.

“By purchasing the property, SHC maintains ownership of the building as service providers transition services and supports to alternate locations in the community, and all current residents have the time and support to move to housing that is appropriate for their needs over the next two to three years,” the release said.

In June of 2022, the Ministry of Social Services said services would be moved out of the Lighthouse due to its ongoing issues.

Since October of that year, 61 emergency shelters spaces were moved out of Lighthouse to new community partners, while the Lighthouse served as the landlord for 58 self-contained rental suites and 59 supportive suites, with services delivered by other providers.

More to come.