The local YWCA says changes to social assistance will lead to more people living on the street in P.A. (Jonathan Hayward/The Canadian Press)

By Alison Sandstrom

Changes to social assistance

‘It will create homelessness’: concerns raised about new program

Sep 26, 2019 | 8:00 AM

The Prince Albert YWCA is sounding alarms bells over changes to Saskatchewan’s social assistance program.

Previously, under the Saskatchewan Assistance Program (SAP), clients had the option to sign their cheques over directly to their landlords and utility providers. Under the new Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) the entire shelter allowance will be deposited into clients’ accounts.

“It will create homelessness,” local YWCA CEO Donna Brooks told paNOW. “If somebody’s dealing with addiction and the withdrawal symptoms are so bad and they’re out of money and they get that rent cheque, they’re going to feed that addiction before they pay their rent, and the landlord isn’t just going to let them stay for free. They’re going to get kicked out. They’re going to be on the street.”

The provincial government launched SIS in July. While existing clients can stay with the previous SAP program, it, along with the Transitional Employment Allowance (TEA) will be phased out by 2021.

We’re going to see somebody freeze to death – _{Dave Hobden, Homeward Bound Manager, Prince Albert YWCA}

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The new streamlined program was billed as a modernization of social assistance in the province. Among other changes, earning exemptions were increased and clients now have the option to apply for income support online. But some are questioning if adequate consultation was done before the new program was created.

Brooks said that while she thinks the direct deposit system will work well for most people accessing social assistance, for a small minority of the most vulnerable, many of whom are YWCA clients, it will be a big problem.

“We have that 15 per cent that are on social services that can’t manage their money because of addictions, mental health and cognitive issues and that’s why they come to us for help,” she said.

Social service providers in danger

Dave Hobden, manager of the YWCA’s Homeward Bound program shares Brook’s concern.

“If all of a sudden the utilities aren’t paid and people are not able to access heat and power, I believe that we’re going to see somebody freeze to death,” he said. “It might sound overly dramatic, but I really believe it.”

Homeward Bound houses around 100 men, women and children in an apartment complex on Branion Drive. The program opened in 2014 based the Housing First model. The model which is used around the country is premised on the idea that people need access to necessities like food and shelter, before the root causes of homelessness like addictions, unemployment and trauma can be properly addressed.

If Homeward Bound residents start receiving their shelter benefit directly, Hobden estimates only around half of them will ever pay their rent. With that kind of loss of income, he said the program would be forced to close in a matter of months.

“There are agencies right across Saskatchewan that are really going to suffer. It may spell the end of some programs because they rely on paying rent and supports from the Ministry that they are not going to get,” he said.

“Growing pains”

Hobden said that two months after SIS started accepting clients, none of the six people he works with at Homeward Bound who applied to the program have received any funding, some have been waiting eight weeks.

“If they weren’t in our program that’s six clients and their families would now be homeless,” he said. “I believe that as this program moves forward that will be addressed…I think the problem is when you’re facing growing pains, you’re facing catastrophe with peoples lives.”

Payment by direct deposit, as opposed to cheques, means clients without access to a bank account, including those unable to get one because of a history of misuse, could be left without a way to receive payments, according to Hobden.

The Prince Albert YWCA is trying to set up a meeting with the Minister of Social Services Paul Merriman to advocate that the payment system be changed.

“If this comes into effect we will not only be back to square one where we were five years ago when we started to address the homelessness issue, but I think it will be even in a deeper hole, I think that you’re going to see huge numbers of families that will not be able to access housing,” Hobden said.

Ministry says there are options

In an email to paNOW, the Ministry of Social Services said individuals with “significant and enduring disabilities, including mental health” are eligible for the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability Program which offers direct payments to landlords and utility companies if the clients choose.

They further stated, in part :

Ministry staff can also work with clients to help them learn how to make good financial decisions, manage their benefits and budget for their household expenses. The ministry may also connect clients with a trustee to help manage their funds and become more self-sufficient. A trustee can be a friend, family member, advocate or contracted community organization.

alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom