(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Homelessness

Province income support program doing more harm than good?

Oct 14, 2021 | 10:00 AM

Communities across the province are expecting to see a gradual rise in the number of homeless people.

Since Aug. 31, 2021, the Saskatchewan Income Support program (SIS) has been the province’s main assistance program.

Individuals living by themselves can get up to $525 a month for rent, while families can receive as much as $850.

The main issue being brought up, cheques are being sent to tenants instead of landlords.

“They need to change the system so, with the consent of the client, a payment can be made directly to the landlord,” said Brian Howell, Manager of Prince Albert’s River Bank Development Corporation.

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There are concerns for those struggling with addictions. Instead of paying their rent, some have decided to use the funds from the SIS program to pay for their vices.

Howell is also concerned for those struggling to pay other bills.

“Oftentimes, there’s a struggle between food, fixing the car you might need for your part-time job that generates a little bit of money, clothes for your children, and rent,” he said.

“When people have all the money sometimes, they make what we would regard, as landlords, as a mistake.”

River Bank has already had to deal with a couple of individuals missing their rent payment. He hasn’t heard if any other company in P.A. has experienced any issues with their tenants.

According to the Saskatchewan Landlord Association (SKLA), 31 per cent of individuals across the province who use the SIS program didn’t pay rent in September.

Another 18 per cent made a partial payment.

They didn’t have numbers specific for P.A. and other communities in Saskatchewan.

In a statement posted to their website, the SKLA claims they’ve heard from different landlords who are concerned for their tenants.

“It is not reasonable to think that people that have never had a responsibility with their finances, that a 40-minute session with a worker will eradicate years of improper money management.”

Meanwhile, Howell believes the province needs to find a middle ground for the program.

The previous programs were criticized for not giving clients the freedom to watch over their own finances.

Moving forward, Howell wants to see an option made available for individuals to have their rent sent directly to their landlord and an option for those wanting to do it on their own.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow