'A crisis situation': Housing issues prevalent in North Central Regina
North Central has entered a crisis situation according to Regina’s mayor. Boarded up and abandoned residential units are on the rise as housing issues are affecting more and more people.
Demolition crews are removing the last of the rubble from the site of an explosion that rocked the neighborhood on Nov. 14.
The blast levelled a vacant government housing complex and damaged a neighbouring apartment building beyond repair.
“We have allowed a neighbourhood to basically enter a crisis situation,” Mayor Sandra Masters said.
The city points to a growing number of homes being left unattended.
“There is also an extraordinary number of abandoned and boarded up properties. That’s on us. Building housing standards are on us to enforce.”
Masters says city action is coming in the New Year.
Action that could impact the Government of Saskatchewan, which owns 3,000 vacant houses across the province with 700 in Regina.
Minister of Social Services Gene Makowsky said he has toured some of the properties.
“If something has chronically not been used for a certain amount of time for whatever reason the building is secured,” he explained.
“So windows aren’t broken or people aren’t in there and doing things we might not want them to do.”
NDP MLA Meara Conway said she believes the government is not taking advantage of the resources at their disposal.
“I know that they’ve alluded to the fact that some of them have fallen into disrepair,” she told reporters following Question Period on Monday.
“I know for a fact there are many vacant units sitting in desirable neighborhoods in fine condition because I’ve seen them myself.”
Regina resident Larissa Sellers says she tried to rent a vacant government home but was rejected because of a past dispute with a private landlord over a sump pump failure.
“I didn’t pay the rent because I got into an argument with them over that,” she explained.
As a result of the dispute, she’s been blacklisted by other landlords, including Regina Housing.
According to Conway, this situation highlights serious issues with the current system.
“[There is] absolutely no reason why she wouldn’t be a good candidate for public housing,” she said.
“So that is a huge red flag to me. This is public housing … for some people this is their last resort.”
The Government of Saskatchewan has said it is reviewing its tenant qualification policies for possible changes that could help fill vacant suites.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.