Correction: A previous version of this story stated that the Saskatchewan Housing Initiatives Partnership was in receipt of the grant from the federal government.
Very concerning – that’s the description officials use when referring to Saskatoon’s homeless situation. The federal government is investing more than a million dollars in an effort to ease the serious homeless situation.
The number of those living on the streets continues to rise in the city, and officials said the money will help close to 500 people.
“We’re seeing growing waiting lists of people who are chronically and episodically homeless so what do we do with these numbers well the answer is to get serious serious about offering the right level of support when people need it,” said Shaun Dyck, executive director of the Saskatchewan Housing Initiatives Partnership.
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The Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre is receiving just over $1.2 million for existing and new staff to address homelessness in the city while the Lighthouse will receive almost $70,000 for a housing locator/case worker position.
Approval for the funding to the two organizations was made by SHIP and the Community Advisory Board on Saskatoon Homelessness. SHIP manages and administers the homelessness partnering strategy funding.
The Saskatchewan Housing Initiatives Partnership was created in 1999 to assist with delivering affordable units in Saskatoon by working with the private sector, builders and developers and affordable housing groups.
Rena Montgomerie contributed to this story
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