SASKATOON – The leader of Saskatchewan’s opposition party called a homeless shelter’s funding constraints a “short-sighted” cut Tuesday, while the provincial government denied reducing any service. To save money, The Lighthouse Supported Living stopped offering daytime stays in its stabilization unit on Feb. 8.
“We’re trying to talk to all levels of government, hopefully, about seeing what changes we can make to the funding model and also how we can continue to serve all people who are in need in Saskatoon and also the province,” said DeeAnn Mercier, communications director at The Lighthouse.
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The current funding model includes a free stay at the shelter until the next business day when clients are expected to visit a Saskatchewan social services office.
If a person is considered ineligible for income assistance, the Ministry of Social Services expects the person to pay for a stay at The Lighthouse. The policy exists to keep government from paying for a shelter stay for anyone receiving other housing allowances at the same time.
However, The Lighthouse has been paying the bill for people, regardless of whether they’re eligible to have government pay for the stay.
“We’ve been seeing a lot more individuals needing that service and a lot more individuals being declined,” Mercier said.
A $4 million expansion to the stabilization unit was announced in November, increasing capacity from 20 to 38 beds. The unit had been open 24 hours per day, but is now only in operation from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. CT.
Since November, about 50 per cent of people seeking to stay at The Lighthouse were denied income assistance, Mercier said.
That’s left The Lighthouse with a funding shortfall.
“When we noticed an increase in billing around the fall, with the expansion of the stabilization unit, we took a closer look at billing and made sure we were following the rules of the contract and policy,” said Jeff Redekop, executive director of the Ministry of Social Services’ income assistance service delivery department.
Saskatchewan NDP Leader Cam Broten said reduced hours in the stabilization unit could shift the burden of helping people to police and hospitals.
“It’s not only a mean-spirited cut, it’s a short-sighted one as well because the best thing to help people who need help is to have them in a place where they can access services,” Broten said.
A provincial government spokesperson said per diems for emergency shelters have increased by 21 per cent for individuals since 2008 and up to 361 per cent for families.
An additional $150,000 in provincial money has been identified for The Lighthouse, to help cover costs for the remainder of the current contract.
Multiple ministries are in discussions with the shelter to help develop a longer-term, more sustainable funding model.