Joe Hargrave, left, Doug Kinar, Ben Hladun, Jerri Hitchings, and Greg Dionne in 2019 (File photo/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

HOUSING WOES

Saskatchewan cities push for housing program review

Nov 28, 2022 | 5:02 PM

In Prince Albert, about 10 per cent of the 960 units owned by the Sask. Housing Corp. are currently empty. Of those, 65 are for seniors and 30 are for families.

The issue was raised at a recent gathering of city mayors with the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) who want some action on problems with housing and social assistance programs.

“Affordable housing units should not be sitting vacant when we know there is a need for affordable and stable accommodations,” Mayor Aalbers from Lloydminster said in a statement.

“The Social Housing Program, specifically housing criteria and maintenance, needs to be reviewed to ensure that these housing units are being utilized.”

City mayors in the province said they are aware of about 3,000 empty affordable housing units across Saskatchewan.

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According to numbers shared with paNOW, of the empty units, about 36 were ready to rent out in October with units offered to about eight households.

The remaining units are out of service due to turnover or are under renovation but the Sask. Housing Corp. is spending about $15 million to renew and repair about 70 family units in Prince Albert with money from the Canada Community Housing Initiative.

The mayors also raised concerns about the Saskatchewan Income Support program, which has had increased issues since a change last year for grants to be paid to tenants rather than the rent being given directly to landlords.

Following calls for change, the province reinstated direct payments for some clients, but the inconsistency with the program continues to be a barrier for those in need.

“The cost of living is rising, and the Saskatchewan Income Support program is not meeting the essential needs of those who rely on it,” said Aalbers, who also serves as SUMA’s Vice-President of Cities.

“Rent within the province has increased 10 to 15 per cent and both Crown utility corporations have raised their rates, while a single adult in Regina or Saskatoon only receives $600 per month for shelter and utilities.”

The City Mayors’ Caucus discussed concerns with both programs during their caucus meeting on November 24 in Regina.

The Saskatchewan NDP said that almost 1,000 families were evicted from their housing starting this spring and continuing over the summer.

“No matter who you talk to, tenants, landlords, housing advocates, Saskatchewan is facing a housing crisis,” said Meara Conway, the NDP housing critic during Monday’s Question Period.

The province spends $35 million annually on housing maintenance and says social assistance rates are very high.

“We have some of the highest rates of income assistance, just north of 600 million that we spend on income assistance,” responded Gene Makowsky, the Minister of Social Services.

He said the province has also created a reporting mechanism for landlords to help people in arrears and are on assistance and they have increased the number of direct payments.

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susan.mceil@pattisonmedia.com