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MN-S conference aims to address homelessness

Homelessness in Regina, Prince Albert and Saskatoon went up last year.
homeless-camp---oct.-5,-2021
Several factors are contributing to homelessness across the province but now municipalities are coming together to demand more funding from the province to deal with the crisis and support those in need. / Citizen staff photo

SASKATOON — Métis Nation-Saskatchewan will be hosting the Saskatchewan Housing and Homelessness Conference, partnering with various agencies as they aim to address the growing issue of homelessness in the province. 

The two-day housing conference, the first to be hosted by MN-S, will be held at the Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon Hotel on March 14 and 15. MN-S also invites other stakeholders and those who lived the experience to the multi-agency conference. 

The Saskatchewan Housing Corp., Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association, River Bank Development Corp., Namerind Housing Corp., Saskatchewan Landlords Association, and the Network of Non-Profit Housing Providers. 

MN-S has previously participated in similar housing conferences, but it will be the first time they spearhead the initiative that hopes to build housing communities. They are expecting to host more than 350 people at the two-day conference. 

MN-S said homelessness has reached a critical level in centres across Saskatchewan, with getting access to affordable, accessible and secure housing being the possible solution. 

Homelessness went up in the three most significant cities in the province, with Regina registering at 41 per cent and Prince Albert at 36 per cent, while Saskatoon is at 15 per cent based on a Point-in-Time survey conducted last year. 

The increasing cost of living, addiction, domestic abuse, and mental health and wellness issues might be some of the contributing factors while the number of homeless people is rising in different communities in the province. 

The rising prices of rent, fuel and other essential commodities are also forcing more families out of their homes to face an uncertain future, an issue MN-S is looking to address and coordinate a response by inviting stakeholders to discuss solutions. 

MN-S Housing and Infrastructure Minister Loretta King said that everyone should be reminded that people living on the streets could be our friends, relatives and other family members. 

“When we listen to their stories and experiences, we are reminded that we are similar in many ways. We all have people we love and that love us. It’s our job as a community to learn how we can help one another,” said King. 

MN-S invites and encourages those who experienced homelessness to attend the gathering to share their stories and provide input to give the provincial government service providers and housing professionals their insight to find immediate solutions with long-lasting effects. 

The conference will not be Métis-specific even if MN-S is hosting the meeting. However, MN-S asks those attending to come up with distinctions-based solutions to the homelessness and housing instability crisis. 

For more information, visit skhousingandhomelessnessconference.ca.