'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
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.