Survey results indicate homelessness up significantly in Moose Jaw

Preliminary results from a survey completed by the Moose Jaw-based organization Square One Community suggest that the homelessness population in the city has grown significantly over the past year.

The organization said it found 74 individuals who were confirmed to be experiencing homelessness – that’s up from the 26 individuals who confirmed they were experiencing homelessness last year.

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Another 44 individuals were observed to be dealing with homelessness, but declined to participate in the group’s survey.

“We’re really seeing a significant rise in the houseless population here in the city over the last several years, particularly over the last year,” explained Maxton Eckstein, co-ordinator of special projects for Square One Community.

“It was really important that we were able to quantify that information, so it gives us a base point to be able to approach funds for funding and with government agencies to say, ‘Hey, here is a problem that’s emerging, and something that needs to be addressed in short order.’”

The data complied by Eckstein and his team suggest more than 100 people in Moose Jaw are experiencing homelessness right now.

Eckstein said the organization’s goal is now to put pressure on government to help them figure out solutions that can work for everyone.

“Last year’s results weren’t quite as dire as these results were. This year, we are heavily engaging the provincial government about looking at funding not only more supports for emergency shelters, but also for supportive housing projects,” Eckstein explained.

“Square One Community right now is launching a supportive housing program here in Moose Jaw. Some of the evidence we’re hearing from the local provincial emergency shelter in the city is that they are at capacity most nights and are turning people away very often.”

Eckstein said the loss of the Souls Harbour Rescue Mission, one of the city’s emergency shelters, has “really amplified” the issues.

“We’re really concerned, coming into a Saskatchewan winter, what that’s going to mean for this community,” he added.

According to Eckstein, data about why people are homeless and how they ended up being in that situation will be coming before the end of the year.

“I think we’re going to get a clearer picture about why these numbers are spiking,” he said.

With municipal and provincial elections taking place throughout the province this fall, Eckstein said he wants homelessness to be a topic of conversation politicians bring up.

He thinks this topic should be at the top of the list for candidates.

“I really think people experiencing homelessness needs to be top on the list of order for discussion,” he said.

“We’re really at a precipice, I think – not only in Moose Jaw but across the province – for taking action on solving this problem before it becomes unmanageable.”