Regina moves forward on potential permanent emergency shelter site

The location of a proposed permanent emergency shelter in Regina is set to be revealed next week.

The city’s executive committee went over the proposal at its meeting  Wednesday, and it’s now up to city council to approve buying and renovating the building for $7.5 million.

That figure includes $5.7 million to purchase the property, along with $1.8 million for renovations.

While the location of the site is still not known, the committee also directed administration to reveal the proposed site on June 7, ahead of the June 12 council meeting.

“In private we discussed some of the legal ramifications of this disclosure, and so that is where this is coming from,” explained Ward 6 Councillor Dan LeBlanc.

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While few details were revealed about the proposed site, city staff told council the building is roughly 10,000 square feet, and the total size of the property is around 20,000 square feet.

If approved, the facility would house 50 people, similar to the number of people who currently stay at the temporary emergency shelter established at the Nest Health Centre.

The city said the new property is to replace the temporary emergency shelter, as the lease is set to expire in the summer of 2025.

If approved by council, $3 million would be covered by a federal fund, another $3 million is set to be covered by the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation through a 10-year forgivable loan, and the city would be on the hook for the final $1.5 million.

Ward 3 Councillor Andrew Stevens spoke in support of the purchase.

“Based on a social reality, there are greater risks than saying no to option one than pursuing it,” he said. “I really wish we weren’t the ones having to shoulder all this, but I am certainly happy to support it.”

One of the big issues identified by some of the councillors was the fact the city has not yet finalized the details of the 10-year loan from the province. The city said the parties are still negotiating some of the terms and conditions. City manager Niki Anderson said the city is also trying to squeeze some more funding into the agreement as well, in order to help the shelter operate.

“We are asking if the province will guarantee funding operating (Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services) or the community-based organization to run the shelter for that duration as well,” Anderson said. “But again, we are still finalizing the loan agreement.”

Ward 2 Councillor Bob Hawkins wasn’t supportive of a city-owned, permanent emergency shelter.

He said he was opposed for several reasons, including frustration around “provincial downloading.” Hawkins said shelters should be handled by the province rather than by the city, and there were still unanswered questions.

“This is a responsibility – a responsibility to provide permanent shelter space for those in need – a responsibility that is on the onus of the provincial government,” he said.

“We don’t know if there is a provincial contribution without significant conditions. It simply hasn’t been worked out. The agreement the province would enter into with us is still undetermined. That  is a real risk.”

Ward 9 Councillor Jason Mancinelli agreed with Hawkins about the provincial downloading, but said something needs to be done to address the issue.

“I also know that in my lifetime this is a problem that has become very, very huge, and that is not something I remember as a young man. So sometimes, when the world changes, you have to change with it. I think the problem outweighs the argument in the situation.”