City, Saskatoon Tribal Council addressing ‘homelessness crisis’ with outreach, temp shelter

Saskatoon is in the midst of a "homelessness crisis" according to the Saskatoon Tribal Council; they and the city are working to get those experiencing homelessness shelter.

As temperatures begin to dip, the city and Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) are focusing on getting every person they can out of the cold.

They said people experiencing homelessness are erecting more encampments and tent cities as the weather gets colder in Saskatoon.

The Saskatoon Fire Department is looking to get vulnerable people shelter, which could include a hotel room.

“We will be identifying places or camps where people are living in makeshift shelters,” said assistant fire chief Yvonne Raymer.

“We will be designating and delegating a task force to these areas in order to provide support,” she said.

“(We’ll) talk to the people who are without housing and try to build trust, a relationship, and see what we can do to support them.”

Those supports include food, COVID-19 testing, mental health and addictions help and ultimately, a place to stay long-term.

“In good conscience, with everything that we are facing we can’t allow for people to be living in the elements as the weather begins to turn colder,” Raymer said.