Sask. Polytechnic parking lot selected for enhanced emergency shelter

WATCH: After nearly two years of searching for an ideal location, Saskatoon has found a site for its enhanced emergency shelter.

After nearly two years of searching for an ideal location, Saskatoon has found a site for its enhanced emergency shelter.

The lot at 170 31st Street East, owned by the province and currently used as a parking lot by Saskatchewan Polytechnic students and staff, will have room for approximately 60 beds.

“I applaud the province’s announcement today that they are prepared to move forward and grateful that the City of Saskatoon was able to work with them to find a site that was acceptable to them,” Mayor Cynthia Block said.

The shelter concept is described as an open shelter-type hall with movable walls or partitions, private rooms, space for staff office and bathrooms and showers.

The Mustard Seed, which has taken over shelter operations at two other shelter locations in Saskatoon, has been chosen as the operator of the new shelter.

The province will lead design and construction of the new facility and will fund its operations.

“This is work that that our government has been undertaking for a few years now,” Minister of Social Services Terry Jenson said. “And it’s work that’s going to continue.”

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Jenson says he is hoping the site will be operational by later winter. An opening date will be announced in the coming months.

The province announced a new provincial approach to homelessness in October 2023, which included funding for 60 new enhanced emergency shelter spaces and a complex needs emergency shelter in Saskatoon. With the new plan, the province tasked municipalities with finding locations, and that’s proven difficult at times.

During city meetings, City Manager Jeff Jorgenson said hundreds of locations were explored in one way or another during the nearly two-year search for a site.

One site was previously identified at the old Fire Station No. 5. on Central Avenue, but uproar from local residents and parents from a nearby school prevented that from moving ahead and added a new criteria for the search: requiring shelter spaces to be at least 250 metres from a public or catholic elementary school.

A 40-bed shelter has been operating on Pacific Avenue since April, however it was always intended as a temporary shelter for up to 18 months until a permanent site could be found.

“We need more space to make sure that people can be safely sheltered in a safe place to be at night,” Block said.

Programming is yet to be finalized, but The Mustard Seed says there will be intake assessments for every guest before entry, a 24 hours a day, seven days a week staff presence inside the facility, perimeter patrols, security cameras and an ongoing partnership with Saskatoon Police Service and Saskatoon Fire Department.

There will also be a “coordinated operating and community safety plan developed before opening.”

The province and city will host two information sessions: one with businesses in the area at the end of August and another with residents on Sept. 15.

Given the previous pushback to other sites, Block hopes residents can be understanding of the need to get more people off the streets and into housing with available supports.

“This isn’t just for people who are unhoused,” Block said. “When all of us have a safe place to be or a safe place to sleep at night because our city works better for everyone, it reduces the overall pressure on emergency services, it reduces the overall pressure on communities..”

Saskatoon is facing its highest recorded homelessness numbers of 1,499 individuals, nearly triple the 2022 count. Jenson says getting shelter spaces available is just one step.

“Ensuring that they have the supports so they’re able to successfully gain more independence and a better quality of life,” Jenson said.