Future shelter spaces in Saskatoon could mean fewer beds in Fairhaven

Last fall, when the provincial government announced its $40.2-million homelessness plan, it included $14.1 million for 120 permanent emergency shelter spaces, with 60 of them slated for Saskatoon.

The first potential 30-bed shelter location that was identified – a former fire hall in the Sutherland neighbourhood – was not approved because of its proximity to a nearby elementary school. No other potential shelter locations have publicly been identified since then.

At Wednesday’s Governance and Priorities Committee meeting, Coun. Hilary Gough asked city manager Jeff Jorgenson if other sites had been found.

“(We’re) very active on, I’d say, half a dozen possible sites with some very strong candidates,” Jorgenson said.

“I was hoping that we would be able to start bringing that forward in April, but I think realistically with the time that it takes to do that evaluation, I think realistically we’re looking at May.”

According to a statement from the Ministry of Social Services, if and when those 60 new shelter spaces open up, there will likely be a reduction in the number of spaces at the 106-bed Fairhaven Emergency Wellness Centre, run by the Saskatoon Tribal Council.

That centre has been controversial since it first opened in December of 2022, with some local residents calling for its closure.

“The one-year operating agreement with Saskatoon Tribal Council for the Wellness Centre provides funding to a maximum of $4.2 million, which would only be reached in the event that the City of Saskatoon and the province are not able to develop the 60 new emergency shelter spaces planned for Saskatoon before March 31, 2025,” the ministry’s statement read.

“This funding supports 106 spaces until June 30, 2024, with the option to extend the 106 spaces up to March 31, 2025. Government intends to reduce the number of spaces at the Fairhaven location once new shelter locations are identified by the City of Saskatoon and subsequently developed.”

Jorgenson said both the province and the city are trying to get the new shelter spaces open as soon as possible.

“It’s still being dealt with urgently,” he said, adding that the new emergency shelter spaces could be open by this fall.

“Our hope is that they’re open sooner, but even if some sites are determined to be permanent but need construction, (having) those temporary sites in place earlier than fall is our goal,” he added.

Gough asked if there are any barriers that could slow down the process from the city’s side. Jorgenson replied that direction from council had been clear, including the criteria and expectations.

The province has also announced funding for two 15-bed complex needs shelters. One shelter is to be located at 1701 Idylwyld Dr. in Saskatoon, and the other will be located in Regina.

At a Saskatoon council meeting on Nov. 22, Louise Michaud, a representative from Saskatchewan’s housing ministry, couldn’t say when that shelter would open, citing contracts that were still being worked out with a third- party service provider.

650 CKOM has made several requests for interviews with Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky, but none have been granted.