Homelessness remains critical issue in Saskatoon, group says

Two years after the Saskatoon Community Clinic called on governments to spend money in the fight against homelessness in Saskatoon and elsewhere, frustrated clinic officials are again lobbying for more action.

At a Tuesday morning news conference held in the westside clinic’s back alley, where staff say homeless people frequently sleep, officials called for more funding for affordable housing, social assistance and health programs.

“We know that many people do not have adequate housing and we believe it’s a government responsibility to deal with this, and we mean all levels of government,” said clinic board member Nancy Carmichael.

She said that Saskatoon’s insufficient housing and tough rental market have forced some people into inadequate housing, such as homelessness, crisis shelters, overcrowded homes or frequent couch surfing.

“Prices of housing are up, the population is up and the stock of adequate housing has gone down and we believe this is totally unacceptable,” Carmichael said.

The clinic is part of a coalition of groups called Passion for Action Against Homelessness. It has been screening the short documentary, Nowhere to Go: Homeless in Saskatoon, which tells the story of local people who are now or formerly were homeless.

Two years ago, the clinic held a news conference to call for action against homelessness, but officials say the situation in Saskatoon is the same, if not worse.

“I took part in a press conference two years to raise the issue of homelessness, and obviously we’re back out here,” said Dr. Stephen Helliar, a physician at the clinic for 29 years.

He said people living in poor housing conditions are more susceptible to illness.

“We know that people who are homeless have higher incidents of chronic diseases, HIV, mental issues and they are more prone to be victims of violence,” Helliar said.