City of Regina declares homelessness crisis

WATCH: City councillors have officially declared a houselessness crisis, calling for provincial and federal assistance.

The City of Regina has opted to officially declare a homelessness crisis.

In an 8-2 vote, city council opted to move the motion forward on Wednesday evening.

Ward 3 Coun. David Froh introduced the motion.

“I believe that we in the prairies have a history of taking care of each other. How we treat our vulnerable defines and reflects who we are as a community. We’re failing the hundreds of people who are unhoused, sleeping rough, and struggling” Froh said.

In January, the federal government pledged a near $8 million investment to support well being plans and immediate support for those living without homes in Regina and Saskatoon.

Regina will now be calling on both the provincial and federal governments for funding to address the issues.

For Froh, it is a step in the right direction.

“The community has been screaming for years that there’s a crisis in Regina when over 100 people die. The very least we can do is declare a crisis. And now, we have to move forward and act to do that.” Froh said

The city will additionally be calling on the province to partner in a plan to tackle the issue with measurable steps.

“We need not accept as normal the fact that people are sleeping in tents and parkways and in the mall and dying. I think the message is less about council. I think it’s more about what Regina expects and how we treat our vulnerable.” Froh said