REGINA - Saskatchewan Housing Corporation is preparing to take possession soon of the Lighthouse location in Saskatoon.
In a news release, Sask Housing confirmed the Court of King's Bench has approved the sale of the Lighthouse's Second Avenue location in Saskatoon on Dec. 18. The corporation also said it will take possession Jan. 5.
The plan, according to Sask Housing, is for Lighthouse residents to transition to other subsidized or supportive housing in the community, based on their individual needs.
Sask Housing says in its release that it will immediately begin work with community partners to identify suitable alternate accommodations for tenants. After the alternate housing and support services are in place and long-term transition plans completed, SHC will then divest the property.
The new owners are pledging to ensure there is minimal disruption to residents as they take over. It’s expected the whole transitioning process to move people out of the Lighthouse will take two to three years.
"Through this investment, we are providing safety and stability for Lighthouse tenants," said Social Services Minister and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Gene Makowsky in a statement.
"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."
Admissions to the Lighthouse will stop upon possession of the property, and the province will develop a Request for Services to seek an organization capable of providing programs and services to current residents at the current location, and potentially in a new location or locations.
The Ministry of Social Services had fully transitioned services and funding away from Lighthouse Supported Living in Nov. 2022, with 61 emergency shelters spaces transitioned to new locations. Saskatoon Tribal Council had taken over responsibility for 31 shelter spaces late last fall; the rest had been earlier transitioned to the Salvation Army.
Minister Makowsky announced in June, 2022 the province's plans to transition all government-funded services away from Lighthouse Supported Living to other community partners. This move came after a series of highly-publicized financial and legal challenges involving the Lighthouse organization.
At the time of that June announcement, which was made on the John Gormley radio show, Makowsky had expressed particular concern about the numerous services all being concentrated at the downtown Saskatoon location.
According to the province, Lighthouse has continued to act as landlord for 58 self-contained rental suites and 59 supportive suites with services delivered by other service providers.
