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Residents at a seniors social housing complex say their building has been opened up to house those with addictions and other complex needs, creating serious issues and leaving them on edge.
On Wednesday, a group of seniors living in the Scott and Forget Towers near Market Mall in Saskatoon shared stories about crystal meth smoked in the hallways, human feces spread on elevator buttons, and a fire set in a common area.
Carol Coffler has been a resident for almost four years. She said the incidents started in January.
“I’m scared for our safety in this building,” she said. “That is my biggest concern.”
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Coffler said she and others have brought the matter to the Saskatoon Housing Authority, which operates the building. Some long-term residents at the complex have also resorted to forming their own “safety squad” to look out for each other.
Janet Oglestone shared the concerns. She said she’s seen instances of public intoxication, and explained that some seniors are afraid to leave their units.
NDP Housing Critic Meara Conway said it’s a province wide issue with the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, which oversees the Saskatoon Housing Authority. Conway said she believes the provincial government is housing people with complex needs in the towers as a crisis response to growing issues around addictions and homelessness.
“Everyone deserves to be housed and supported, but the answer to 17 years of Sask. Party mismanagement and neglect is not to throw everyone together in one building without planning and the right resources,” she said.
Roger Parenteau, executive director of the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, said individuals with complex needs are not being “mixed in” with seniors in housing projects.
The Scott and Forget Towers are for low-income people aged 55 and older to let them live independently, and Parenteau said all tenants residing at the towers meet the requirements for senior social housing.
Parenteau added that there are supportive housing projects across the province, with group service providers to support those with complex needs, but said the Saskatoon towers are not part of those projects.
Responding to the concerns, Parenteau said additional security will be added in the building where required, the existing fob systems will be adjusted, and additional information will be provided to tenants about who they can and can’t allow into the building.