Delegations debate proposed Regina Rapid Housing Initiative site
A full list of delegations shared their thoughts about a proposed Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) site, at a Regina executive committee meeting Wednesday.
City administration recommends the committee and city council approve the land transfer of 120 Broad Street, and the city’s remaining Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation capital funding to Silver Sage Holdings ltd., to deliver the RHI.
According to the city, RHI is a capital funding program developed by the federal government to support the creation of new affordable rental housing to help address the urgent housing needs of vulnerable Canadians. Regina has been given $7.75 million through this program.
Silver Sage Holdings has partnered with Regina Treaty/ Status Indian Services (RT/SIS), through a city selection process, to build and run a 29 affordable housing units, with a focus on permanent supportive housing, set to open in December 2022.
A condition of the funding is that a minimum of 25 per cent of the units will be targeted towards women or women and their children; 15 per cent of units targeted towards Indigenous residents, and manage an inclusive space for men, women, children and LGBTQ2S+ residents.
City reports state the housing will also have wrap-around supports for residents, including addictions and family services.
Organizations like the Homelessness Community Advisory Board stated their support for this project and its location. So did former homelessness and housing consultants for the City of Regina.
“The proposed RHI is exactly in keeping with the city’s plan and the recommendations that were made, at least going back to 2009,” Marc Spooner, a former consultant, said.
He added he knows people are concerned about having this unit close to a school, but said it’s a golden opportunity for the children who may end up living in the building “to attend the nearby school and benefit from the stability this housing opportunity will provide.”
Spooner said putting the RHI on the proposed 120 Broad St. site could also de-stigmatized supportive housing and those who need it.
Residents said they aren’t necessarily against the project, but are concerned about where it could be located. The proposed site is down the street from Imperial Community School, the Highland Curling Club and a number of daycares.
“However way you slice it, you cannot have a bunch of single men living a block from the school,” area resident Donna Hudgin said. “There is some unsafe situation when there are single men around.”
The city report said residents will be offered the option to move into this space only after working with RT/SIS for six to 12 months. They will also not be eligible if they have any sexual charges or convictions or are deemed dangerous offenders.
“But they’re going to have records,” Hudgin added. “Beside a school is not safe.”
RT/SIS emphasized this RHI site will be set up like an apartment building, so it’s not a congregational site.
“It’s a misconception that people here will have mental health issues or addictions issues,” Erica Beaudin, executive director of RT/SIS, said. “That is not the case at all, every situation is unique and different. While that might be a concern or an issue in somebody’s life, that is not a given that it is.”
She added she is very excited about the location and the opportunity to provide proper supports for people getting back on their feet, as well as providing Indigenous supports.
A few delegations complained about the lack of transparency and communication with the residents.
Chris Holden, city manager, admitted the city didn’t take the opportunity to engage with residents, which resulted in some some misinformation being spread about the project. But going forward, the city said it will communicate more with residents, community associations and stakeholders
City council will review the report and vote at its next meeting on February 2.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Man who set himself on fire outside Trump trial dies of injuries, police say
A man who doused himself in an accelerant and set himself on fire outside the courthouse where former U.S. President Donald Trump is on trial has died, police said.
Verdun Airbnb listing taken down amid complaints, fines and frustration from neighbours
An Airbnb in Montreal's Verdun borough was the source of much frustration from neighbours who say there were constant parties at the location. It has been taken down from the app, but housing advocates remain upset about short-term rentals.
They were from different countries and barely spoke each other's languages. More than 20 years later, they're still happily in love
He decided to spend Christmas somewhere that wouldn't involve snowstorm disasters. She was spending the holidays with family, travelling for the first time outside of her native country of Venezuela. 23 years later, they're still in love.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Fire in Labrador town under control, officials tells residents to stay away
RCMP say the fire that prompted a state of emergency in a Labrador town is now under control.
12 students and teacher killed in Columbine school shooting remembered at 25th anniversary vigil
Thirteen victims of the Columbine High School shooting were remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Israeli airstrike in southern Gaza city of Rafah kills at least 9 Palestinians, including 6 children
An Israeli airstrike on a house in Gaza's southernmost city killed at least nine people, six of them children, hospital authorities said Saturday, as Israel pursued its nearly seven-month offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Iraq investigates a blast at a base of Iran-allied militias that killed 1. U.S. denies involvement
Iraqi authorities said Saturday that they were investigating an explosion that struck a base belonging to the Popular Mobilization Forces, a coalition of Iran-allied militias, killing one person and injuring eight.