MOOSE JAW — Square One Community Inc., a grassroots organization tackling homelessness in Moose Jaw, was recognized in the Saskatchewan Legislature last week for its groundbreaking work in supportive housing.
On May 7, representatives from the organization attended the provincial legislative session in Regina as invited guests of Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA Megan Patterson. The visit served not only as a moment of recognition but also as an opportunity to advocate for long-term provincial support.
Square One’s General Manager Maxton Eckstein, Board Chair Della Ferguson, and Intensive Case Managers Tori Gibson and Tiara Wolff received warm welcomes during the sitting. Premier Scott Moe, Minister of Social Services Terry Jenson, and MLA Patterson all commended the team’s dedication to serving Moose Jaw’s most vulnerable individuals.
“I’d like to extend a warm welcome to our friends from Square One,” said Patterson on the legislative floor. “They’ve made an immense impact in my home riding of Moose Jaw Wakamow.”
Square One’s Supportive Housing Program, launched at William Milne Place in December 2024, is currently housing 11 individuals coming out of chronic homelessness, with projections to reach 30 by March 2026. The program, which provides intensive wraparound support including mental health and addictions services, was the focal point of both the formal recognition and behind-the-scenes advocacy.
“Prior to the sitting in the legislature, Della (Ferguson) and I sat down for a successful meeting with MLA Lee Guse, chief of staff to the Hon. Terry Jenson; MLA Terri Bromm; and our local MLA, Megan Patterson,” said Eckstein. “We continued ongoing conversations regarding a potential partnership between Square One and the province.”
According to Eckstein, the discussions were constructive and focused on the program’s early success and future potential.
“We had some very honest conversations about the growing needs in Moose Jaw,” he said. “Our program participants are showing incredible progress after just a month of services. We're not just reducing homelessness — we're helping individuals gain the capacity to live independently.”
Data shared by Square One suggests the program is already yielding measurable impacts. “Prior to housing, our clients were facing dozens of interactions with emergency services per month,” Eckstein said. “After just a month in our program, that number is down to nearly zero across the board.”
He emphasized that supportive housing doesn’t just benefit the clients — it also makes economic sense. “There are significant cost savings to the province in the short, medium, and long term by reducing reliance on emergency services,” he said.
Currently, Square One is funded through a one-year grant from the federal Reaching Home program. The organization is calling for a core partnership with the provincial government to secure the long-term viability of the program and potentially double its intake capacity.
“There is an exceptional opportunity here,” Eckstein said. “With provincial funding and the infrastructure we already have, we could realistically end homelessness in Moose Jaw within 10 years.”
The team also shared how the program is collaborating closely with other services, including the provincially funded Willow Lodge Emergency Shelter and regional Mental Health and Addictions programs.
“Working so closely with the province already on intakes and service delivery, they are simply the natural partner we need (in order to) continue the work we are doing,” Eckstein added.
MLAs Guse, Bromm and Patterson expressed interest in further exploring the partnership and accepted a detailed proposal package from the Square One team. A tentative site visit to Moose Jaw is planned for June.
The issue of homelessness has also been raised by Moose Jaw city councillor Chris Warren through a resolution at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA), highlighting growing municipal support for the initiative.
“As the largest rural and remote community in the province, Moose Jaw could be the model for how smaller communities across Saskatchewan tackle homelessness,” said Eckstein.
To learn more, visit SquareOneHousingMooseJaw.com, follow "Square One Community Inc. Moose Jaw" on Facebook, or email [email protected].
