SASKATOON — All 61 government-funded emergency shelter spaces will be fully transitioned from the Lighthouse in Saskatoon in November.
According to the province, the remaining 31 spaces will transitioning to the Saskatoon Tribal Council.
The province also confirms the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation will be providing a new location for the STC Emergency Wellness Centre in southwest Saskatoon to support the transition.
Saskatoon Tribal Council will lease the building from Sask. Housing Corporation. During November, STC and SHC will work to make necessary improvements to the building so it will be able to support the goals of the STC Emergency Wellness Centre.
“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," Tribal Chief Mark 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. Supports in health services, employment and training, mental health and addictions, life skills programs and centered around healing as we transition our relatives to independent living that will be enhanced with outreach supports. Homeless in the City of Saskatoon hasn’t changed, because we haven’t changed in how we address the real issues. The Wellness Centre is status blind, we support all relatives from all walks of life.”
In October, 30 of the spaces at The Lighthouse had been transitioned to the Salvation Army. The province announced in June it would transition government-funded services from Lighthouse Supported Living to other community partners, following the well-publicized challenges with governance, finances and safety at The Lighthouse location.
"Homelessness is a complex issue and requires multiple partners to come together," Social Services Minister and Minister Responsible for SHC Gene Makowsky said in a statement. "This final stage of the transition of emergency shelter spaces will occur gradually during November as the new building becomes operational and with client needs in mind."
