Regina city councillors to bring motion to declare homelessness emergency – Regina | 24CA News
The challenge of homelessness in Regina has been an essential matter for residents and at government council at City Hall.
Last 12 months, metropolis council handed a movement to eradicate homelessness, however no cash was allotted to make that occur.
Recently, 4 City of Regina councillors will likely be bringing a movement at tomorrow’s assembly about this challenge. Councillor Shannon Zachidniak mentioned they are going to be bringing two motions to handle homelessness within the metropolis.
“What we’re proposing is that we need a short- and long-term plan in collaboration with other levels of government,” mentioned Zachidniak.
“This has reached an emergency level in our community, and we do have data showing that between 2015 and 2021, according to our point in time homelessness count that the amounts of folks houseless has risen 110 per cent. And the problem has certainly visibly gotten worse since then.”
Zachidniak says they’re now at some extent the place there is no such thing as a clear plan that folk on council can see to handle homelessness or tent encampments in Regina.
“It’s time for us to have a formal and public conversation about what should that plan be,” mentioned Zachidniak.
“We certainly don’t want to be in a position where we have folks who are houseless in the streets in the wintertime and at risk of freezing to death. So, let’s all start talking. Let’s all communicate and figure out together what this plan should be.”
The movement will ask the City to declare a homelessness emergency, for council to name on the province to contribute to emergency funding, for council to direct administration to create a plan by the top of Q3 to supply short-term barrier-free shelter for all Regina residents in want, and for the town to make a long-term dedication to handle houselessness as a part of the 2024 funds course of.
Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky said in an electronic mail response to Global News that homelessness is a fancy challenge affecting communities throughout Canada.
“The Government of Saskatchewan is actively working with all levels of government, Indigenous and community partners to develop approaches to address chronic homelessness and better support individuals who need more than a home to remain connected to housing,” said Makowsky.
“Our government has increased its investment to address homelessness by more than $25 million, with an additional $14 million for new emergency shelter spaces and $11 million for supportive housing since 2021.”
Minister Makowsky additionally said the province stays dedicated to working collaboratively to coordinate entry to companies and make connections to higher serve these in want of helps for psychological well being, addictions, coaching and different companies to handle continual homelessness, present stability and enhance neighborhood security.
City council will meet on Wednesday.
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
