Feds spend $7.6M to curb homelessness in Saskatoon
The federal government is spending $7.6 million to create about 36 new affordable homes in Saskatoon.
The new units could be at existing homeless shelters facilities, or may be new builds.
The city will turn to different housing agencies for proposals and spend the federal money accordingly.
Mayor Charlie Clark said the cash could be allocated to revamping City Inn and Suites, but the city is relying on “the expertise of housing providers” to make decisions.
“We want to make sure there’s the best cost-to-benefit ratio and we’ll have to work with local neighbourhoods on the location,” Clark told reporters.
The Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) is a housing provider that plans to submit an application.
STC Chief Mark Arcand said his proposal would go beyond housing.
“You can’t just place somebody into a house, you got to provide the services,” Arcand said.
“Our plan is going to be a whole holistic model to incorporate culture, language, identity.”
Arcand said he wants 24 hour security in his model to ensure the homes stay safe.
Fire Chief Morgan Hackl said he’s seen first-hand the struggles people face on Saskatoon streets.
He said it’s important the housing initiative also supports mental health and addictions.
“I don’t think there’s any one solution right now. There’s different types of housing that are best suited for different people,” Hackl said.
“It’s evident that some of what we have provided in the past, is not what these people in our community are looking for.”
The $7.6 million for Saskatoon is part of $2.5 billion the federal government is spending across Canada for the Rapid Housing Initiative.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.