A new report presented to Saskatoon city council sheds light on the financial burden the city faces in addressing homelessness. The document highlights the growing demand for services and the strain on resources across all levels of government.
Provincial Funding and City Contributions
The City of Saskatoon receives an annual allocation of $3 million from the provincial government, a commitment announced last fall. During Wednesday's council meeting, city administration discussed current and planned investments for homelessness services. Officials have been in discussions with the province regarding the use of these funds and which costs the province expects the city to cover.
Summer and Winter Service Plans
Services scheduled from May 1 to October 31 include the CUMFI outdoor washroom and shower trailers project, operating 24/7 at 315 Avenue M South. Additionally, a daytime drop-in centre and a women's overnight drop-in centre will be housed at the current women's drop-in centre adjacent to the Salvation Army's Men's Shelter at 325 Avenue C South. A two-week break in May will allow the Saskatoon Tribal Council to transition clients to the summer service model.
Beginning November 1, winter services may include overnight drop-in centres for men and women, as well as a daytime drop-in facility. However, only the women's shelter has a confirmed location at 130 Idywyld Drive North. The report notes that a separate men's overnight drop-in centre, previously operated by the Salvation Army at St. Mary's Parish, has not yet been confirmed for the upcoming winter season.
Cost Breakdown
Summer project contributions are expected to cost the city $253,700 over six months. These expenses cover utilities, peacekeeper costs, property management, and repairs. For the winter, while many details remain uncertain and will be addressed in a future report, the women's overnight drop-in centre alone is projected to cost $22,200 for property management and repairs.
City administration recommends returning $57,735 to the capital expenditure reserve from the winter city YXE implementation capital project to help fund these initiatives. Additionally, it suggests increasing the homelessness response capital project by $275,900. Administration will explore further options to support winter service plans and propose annualized funding during budget deliberations.
Growing Demand and Financial Pressure
The report emphasizes that response plans are evolving rapidly as the number of homeless individuals continues to rise. It states, "Demand for services continues to grow, placing sustained pressure on resources and costs among all orders of government." The city's investment in affordable housing and homelessness between 2024 and 2027 ranges from $3.1 million to $4.6 million annually, totaling $15.7 million.
