'Not bad people': Regina's homeless dejected after permanent shelter plan scrapped by council
People in need of housing are feeling dejected by Regina city council’s decision to scrap opening a permanent emergency shelter near the corner of Albert Street and Dewdney Avenue.
Those in need of the shelter believe council’s opposition to the facility was driven by fear and misunderstanding.
“It makes us kind of upset that we’re not welcome anywhere. I mean we’re not bad people, just kind of had a hard time with our lives,” shelter resident Toby Kelsch said.
Council voted against establishment of a permanent shelter after facing neighborhood opposition.
“We look a bit rough because we don’t shower as much and we don’t eat as much as everybody else but we are decent people,” Kelsch said.
Audrey Kaiswatum is living in emergency housing at the YWCA. She feels supported but is concerned about the message sent by city council’s decision.
“People are just throwing us aside and saying just forget about them and so we’re hurting each other you know and that’s what really hurts,” Kaiswatum said.
City council got involved with providing emergency shelter after a tent community formed in Pepsi Park in 2021. Shylo Stevenson, a community support worker with Queen City Wellness Pharmacy, was among those who provided support to the residents.
“Two and a half years ago we were in tents. Now we are in shelters and I think that’s the way we need to continue. A tent is not a home,” Stevenson said.
He feels a permanent emergency shelter is crucial but also believes other forms of supports must come with it.
“So we put somebody that’s been around hundreds of people on the street and we put them into a house all alone so they get lost in their thoughts and relapse or have those slips and that’s where these wrap around supports, so dealing with their mental health and their addiction at the same time as houselessness is key.”
The proposed permanent shelter location was kept under wraps almost until the last minute and that’s why some feel the plan failed.
According to the city, council has instructed administration to continue their search for a permanent emergency shelter location and provide council with a status update by Oct. 9 of this year.
Those supporting the unhoused recommend that community consultation be part of selecting a new location.
A current temporary shelter is set to close in July of 2025 with no chance of renewing the lease.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stellantis recalling nearly 1.2 million vehicles to fix software glitch that disables rear camera
Stellantis is recalling nearly 1.2 million vehicles in the U.S. and Canada to fix a software glitch that can disable the rearview cameras.
Canada sanctions 13 more Russians for role in Navalny's imprisonment and death
Canada is sanctioning 13 more Russians from the intelligence service, police force and corrections system for their role in the poisoning, imprisonment and death of opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
South Korean soldiers fire warning shots after North Korean troops cross border, apparently in error
South Korean troops fired warning shots to repel North Korean soldiers who briefly crossed the rivals' heavily fortified land border Tuesday for the second time this month, the South's military said. Both incursions were believed to be unintentional.
Obituary French actress Anouk Aimee, a Golden Globe-winner for her role in 'A Man and a Woman,' dies at 92
French actress Anouk Aimee, winner of a Golden Globe for her starring role in 'A Man and a Woman' by legendary French director Claude Lelouch, has died. She was 92.
Staples stores begin accepting Amazon returns under new partnership
Canadians can now return their Amazon orders through Staples. The e-commerce giant says the office supply retailer's 298 stores are now equipped to handle Amazon returns.
3 people dead, including gunman, after shooting in Toronto office space: police
The gunman who killed a man and a woman is among the deceased after a triple shooting inside an office space near a daycare and a school in North York on Monday afternoon, according to police.
EXCLUSIVE 'They were literally feral': Demands for answers in horrific B.C. case of child neglect
A horrific case of child neglect involving three young children has their extended family in northern B.C. demanding answers.
Ottawa couple's loan payments more than double after new company takes over financing
An Ottawa couple is sharing their buyer beware story and the importance of reading the fine print in contracts, following a shocking price hike and interest rate adjustment for their home furnace financing.
Secret Service agent robbed at gunpoint during Biden's Los Angeles trip, police say
A U.S. Secret Service agent was robbed at gunpoint as President Joe Biden was visiting Los Angeles for a fundraising event over the weekend, officials said.