SASKATOON — A multi-agency partnership has established a Temporary Emergency Wellness Centre with the aim of helping the city’s homeless population in the long run, especially now that winter is here.
The Saskatoon Tribal Council is leading the project with the support of the city government, the Saskatoon Police Service, the Saskatoon Fire Department, the Saskatchewan Health Authority, Possibilities Recovery Centre and Sanctum Care Group Inc.
STC is targeting to have the facility running on Monday, Dec. 13, pending staff training and facility set-up. The City Standing Policy for Planning, Development, and Community Services unanimously voted to endorse the Wellness Centre after a meeting last Tuesday.
The city council then held an emergency meeting on Thursday and voted unanimously to approve the project. The centre is set to start with getting 50 people off the streets with snow and freezing temperatures expected in the coming weeks.
STC Chief Mark Arcand said they needed to push for the project due to the coming winter season where they hope to start helping the city’s homeless find temporary living space this winter.
“We needed to move fast with the colder weather approaching; it is a matter of life and death for our people on the streets. We are grateful to all our partners who made this centre a reality, especially the city who expedited the approval process. This wellness centre will not only help our homeless off the streets, but it will also provide them with mental, addiction, and housing services. They will be treated with dignity."
The city has also helped STC in looking for the facility, which is a 9,200-square-foot space located at 145 First Avenue North. The building used to be an SPS satellite office.
The Wellness Centre will help mitigate the homelessness issue in the City and will be operating temporarily from this space in the next four months, most especially during the cold winter months early next year. The centre will have a staff to offer help with mental health, addictions and housing services 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
Arcand said the current pandemic was an additional burden for some who are already struggling with their addictions and mental health issues that could have contributed to an increase in homelessness in the city.
“We see mainly Indigenous Peoples on the streets. This is evidence of the lasting effects of residential schools and systemic racism leading to intergenerational trauma, addictions, and mental health issues. We need a long-term strategy, an investment to keep people safe and healthy,” said Arcand.
“STC will step up and do as much as we can to help take care of our people. We are in a crisis mode. It's time to do the right thing. We want this initiative to be Indigenous-led for Indigenous People,” he added.
SFD Chief Morgan Hackl said they made sure the building is a safe living space and available before winter.
“Ensuring adequate and safe shelter space is available for winter is an urgent issue. When there was nothing adequate or suitable on the commercial market the city was able to offer one of its properties. [SFD] is making sure the building is safe for people to live in — that there are appropriate spaces for sleeping and they are protected with proper alarms and systems."
SPS Superintendent Cam McBride said they are always ready and pleased to their share in helping find solutions to the homelessness crisis.
“In light of the increasing volume of calls regarding people in crisis and experiencing homelessness, [SPS] is pleased to see this joint effort by the [STC] and the city. We are supportive of any plan to offer an alternative to those who may not have had safe shelter otherwise."
