Tent city outside Regina City Hall continues to grow

The City of Regina said Tuesday the encampment at City Hall has grown over the past week.

In a media release, the city said there were 83 tents in the Courtyard as of Monday. That’s up from the 72 tents reported on July 11.

The city also said a point-in-time count on Monday estimated between 45 and 60 people were living at the encampment. That number was 47 as of July 11.

The tent city popped up in June to raise awareness about homelessness in Regina.

The release said the Regina Police Service and Regina Fire and Protective Services are continuing to do wellness checks and walkthroughs to make sure the residents are doing well.

“The Fire Inspection Team continues to take preventative actions, ensuring high-hazard items or conditions are immediately removed or remedied,” the release said. “Encampment organizers have been provided access to fire extinguishers and an automated external defibrillator (AED) unit in case of emergency.”

The city noted it had moved a portable public washroom from Victoria Park to one block west, near City Hall, where it will be open 24 hours a day. The city said the move was made “to better address public health concerns on the Courtyard.”

Public washrooms also are available inside City Hall during business hours, and garbage is removed frequently from the Courtyard.

The release said city staff are in touch with camp volunteers “several times per week” as the city continues it efforts to help those on site.

“The City of Regina continues to collaborate with provincial government agencies and community-based organizations to connect residents experiencing houselessness in our community with services and supports they need,” the release added.

“The Saskatchewan Health Authority’s Street Project Team attends the encampment regularly to provide a needle exchange program. The Ministry of Social Services is on site twice each week, the Regina Downtown Community Support Program engages with camp residents daily, and Saskatchewan Health Authority/RFPS Overdose Outreach Team responds as needed.”