The number of homeless people in Saskatoon stands at 1,500

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A point-in-time count of people experiencing homelessness in Saskatoon this fall has identified a staggering 1,499 people living permanently homeless in the city — nearly three times the number found two years ago.

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The last count, from 2022, identified 550 people.

“While some of this increase reflects the recognition of new categories, many other factors contributed to this significant increase,” the city said in a news release, noting that a full breakdown will be released in the new year.

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“We have a lot of people coming to Saskatoon for various reasons … and then they might end up here without support,” said Lesley Anderson, the city’s director of planning and development.

The city created a Community Encampment Response Plan to use federal funding from a homeless initiative and homeless encampments.

The plan includes a capital project valued at $4,483,122 – to be covered by the Government of Canada – for supportive housing units with a community space and a study for a potential future community sailing centre.

The federal money will be allocated over two years and must be spent by March 31, 2026.

The city also plans to spend $275,000 of the initiative fund, along with an agreement with the provincial government to support the improved emergency shelter planned downtown.

Anderson said the plan for the federal money was developed quickly because of its tight timeline.

The city outlined a phased approach, noting that the public restroom pilot project and the temporary winter navigation and heating center project are considered phases one and two.

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Future plans include expanding the city’s mobile outreach service in 2025, investing in an improved permanent emergency shelter, a new supportive housing development and the community navigation center feasibility study.

The supportive housing project is expected to include 30 new supportive housing units; Approximately $3.8 million in federal funds will be used for this project.

The city administration noted that more money will still be needed for the supportive housing project and that a successful application through the federal government’s rapid housing program is required to proceed. More discussions with the federal government would be necessary if this money cannot be obtained.

A contribution agreement with the feds is required for the money from the homeless initiative and homeless encampments, with several conditions attached, including consultation with affected indigenous communities and engagement with a third-party auditor.

cone Robert Pearce asked if the toilet pilot project could be expanded with this plan; City staff said more information will be available next year.

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He also asked for details on expanding mobile activity and was told the city will work with community partners to see where it can happen.

The council heard the provincial government will continue to be approached for help with some of these projects.

cone Bev Dubois asked what would happen if a new federal government takes over before the March 2026 deadline. Anderson said there’s usually a clause attached to initiatives like this, but it’s not certain.

“We definitely need to mitigate all the risks,” City Manager Jeff Jorgenson said, noting the city will work to ensure any risk is minimal if the money goes to community partners. He said the administration is working to have no future operating costs for projects that fall to the city.

cone Jasmin Parker asked how the number of homeless people reflected the current stock of affordable housing.

“We’ve seen such growth,” Anderson said, noting that the amount of affordable housing hasn’t increased much in recent years and that this gap in the market needs to be addressed.

Pearce said the city should consider moving the Emergency Wellness Center from the Fairhaven neighborhood if that money is poured into the city to address homelessness.

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“Something has to happen, it’s long overdue,” he said.

Anderson said using federal money to relocate the wellness center was not considered.

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