'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
Flights divert around western Iran as one report claims explosions heard near Isfahan
Commercial flights began diverting their routes early Friday morning over western Iran without explanation as one semiofficial news agency in the Islamic Republic claimed there had been 'explosions' heard over the city of Isfahan.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.