Sask. NDP demand more housing supports after death in Moose Jaw

The Sask. NDP are raising concerns about the death of a Moose Jaw man who was waiting for supportive housing. Wayne Mantyka has the story.

The NDP Opposition is raising concerns about the death of a Moose Jaw senior who was waiting for supportive housing. The party believes he would have fared better had he not been living in his car.

The senior had been living in his vehicle parked on a Moose Jaw street. He had been in and out of the local shelter and was waiting for supportive housing. He died after being hospitalized for a chronic illness.

“Square One was assessing him. They were trying to get him housing,” NDP MLA Brent Blakley told reporters Tuesday. “They really didn’t have the funding for it and the man apparently died in hospital after a battle with a chronic illness that was left unmanaged because, again, he was living in his vehicle.”

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Moose Jaw’s Square One provides housing for 36 Moose Jaw residents. Programming is funded by the federal government. The senior who died was one of approximately 50 people on a waiting list.

“It’s never specifically someone’s fault when this happens but we know supportive housing saves lives,” Maxton Eckstein, general manager of Square One, told CTV News. “We’ve seen many people’s lives changed because of it and I am confident that individuals like this gentleman and others in his position can definitely be supported.”

At last count, 125 people were living on the streets of Moose Jaw. Donny was one of them – until he moved into Square One.

“I moved in here on April 1 and it’s a great burden off my mind and shoulders knowing that I have a home to come to,” Donny told CTV News.

The provincial government says it appreciates the work of Square One. However, Ministry of Social Services does not prove details on specific cases like the death of the Moose Jaw senior.

Square One plans to continue funding discussions with the provincial government.

The organization hopes the province will come on board so that more lives can be changed in the community.