'Nobody needs to sleep outdoors': City of Regina and non-profits work to accommodate houseless
Tents are popping up in vacant lots as Regina’s houseless prepare for colder weather.
The City of Regina is assessing whether there is need for more shelter beds according to Mayor Sandra Masters.
“They [The City] are looking at potential facilities that may be able to put whatever excess there is,” she said.
“In the meantime the rule is if you need space to stay overnight, social services will find you space to stay overnight so nobody needs to sleep outdoors.”
The city had hoped that at rapid housing facility would be ready for this winter but construction of the units are tied up at a prefabrication plant.
Organizations that work with those living on the streets are mobilizing for the winter, such as The Comeback Society.
“If we think about this as a National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, we also need to consider why these people might be homeless, said Alicia Morrow, founder of the Comeback Society.
“This is the direct result of residential schools and the colonial impacts that Canada has had on our people.”
The Comeback Society, which provides free meals every Sunday near the downtown library, has teamed up with The Everyday Kitchen to gather warm winter clothing.
“We have a bin provided,” Morrow explained. “The team here is great and they know that you guys will be coming so just come drop it off.”
The Everyday Kitchen often provides bagels for their Sunday meal program and will donate 10 per cent from this Friday’s sales to the cause, according to co-owner Mark Shmelinski.
“It’s hard to miss the need in our city on any given day so yeah, we see it. We’re surrounded by it,” he said.
The City of Regina estimates that its rapid housing facility will be ready for April, 2023.
However, it will just be another part of the solution to a problem that will continue to take support from multiple organizations in the city.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
New evidence challenges the Pentagon's account of a horrific attack as the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan: CNN exclusive
New video evidence uncovered by CNN significantly undermines two Pentagon investigations into an ISIS-K suicide attack outside Kabul airport, during the American withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.