Question Period (31 March 2025)

From Hansard (31 March 2025)

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Provision of Housing

April ChiefCalf: — Mr. Speaker, they’re not just failing on health care. Last week Regina City Council voted 6 to 2 to recognize that the city is dealing with a houselessness crisis. By their most recent count, 824 people slept on the streets in just one night. That is horrifying, Mr. Speaker.

Does the Minister of Social Services acknowledge that nearly 1,000 people sleeping on the streets in one city is indeed a crisis?

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the issue of homelessness in our province is something that this government takes extremely seriously, serious to the point where we have invested $40.2 million over two years in a planned provincial approach to homelessness. This plan has developed 155 new supportive units for those who require more than just a home; they require wraparound supports.

Mr. Speaker, each of these individuals that find themselves in this situation — and I think the opposition would agree — they are individuals. They all have their own story. They might have an addiction. They might have a mental health issue. Each of these individuals needs proper assessment. They need the proper supports. And at that point we can get them into long-term supportive housing. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

April ChiefCalf: — Thank you. Mr. Speaker, it is beyond inappropriate for the Minister of Social Services to skate past the provincial capital city’s cry for help. It’s true there is a crisis in this city. So I’ll ask the minister a simple question: will he commit to emergency action to address this crisis?

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I can think of 40.2 million reasons why this government takes this issue very seriously, and I’ll point to the supportive housing units that we have put in place.

We have 55 spaces in Saskatoon operated by the Saskatoon Tribal Council. We have 20 spaces in place with the friendship centre here in Regina; 10 spaces operated by the Saskatoon Crisis Intervention Services; 20 spaces at Lovering Place here in Regina operated by Phoenix Residential Society; 34 spaces at Robinson Manor, a Sask Housing-owned building in Saskatoon, owned by Crocus Co-operative.

And, Mr. Speaker, when we talk about the housing continuum and the success that we’re having with PATH [provincial approach to homelessness], I’ll point to this: the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and the Regina Housing Authority were continuing to reduce vacancies in social housing units. As of December of 2024, the Regina vacancy rate was 14.8 per cent. That’s a decrease of 4.9 per cent from the previous year. I think we are doing the appropriate things. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Brent Blakley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, unlike a number of the members opposite, I actually read the budget. I didn’t see the words “emergency funding” or “housing crisis” anywhere.

Speaker Goudy: — At this time I’ll ask the member to apologize and withdraw that. You’re insinuating that the government didn’t read their own budget, and I’d ask you to apologize and withdraw.

Brent Blakley: — I apologize and withdraw, Mr. Speaker.

That minister did not budget for a crisis. Now that he has a crisis on his hands, he needs to do more. Mr. Speaker, will the minister take the situation as serious as it deserves, and will he commit to emergency funding to address the houselessness crisis in Regina?

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, just in case the members opposite forgot, we have a provincial approach to homelessness . . .

Speaker Goudy: — I would ask that the minister also apologize and withdraw.

Hon. Terry Jenson: — I apologize and withdraw, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, the issue of homelessness in Saskatchewan is a serious issue, and it’s one that we put $40.2 million towards with the provincial approach to homelessness. This provincial approach to homelessness makes sure that the government, the ministry, community-based organizations are all working together with municipalities, Indigenous partners, and more to ensure that we are doing what we can to get people into longterm, permanent housing. This is a plan that we put to work last year. We’re going to continue making those investments, Mr. Speaker.

Brent Blakley: — Mr. Speaker, I know the Minister of Finance isn’t willing to revisit his worthless budget, but I expect more from the Minister of Social Services. I’ll remind him there are . . .

Speaker Goudy: — I think you’re seeing I’m calling it quite tight, but I think we all can think critically and form our questions and our answers appropriately that it doesn’t always have to be so adversarial. I will speak to the House leaders later if I’m calling it too tight, but I’ll ask you again to watch our words, Member.

Brent Blakley: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I’ll remind the minister there are 435 vacant public housing units in Regina. 404 households are on a wait-list; 364 of the units are in a state of disrepair. The minister has committed to fixing 285 of them over a number of years. Mr. Speaker, does he understand that this is not enough?

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this budget that we just delivered last week and voted on last week is a budget that is going to deliver more housing units in Regina; 285 will begin in Saskatoon, Regina, and Prince Albert. We are investing $88 million in ’25-26 into repairs and renovations.

In the ’25-26 Saskatchewan Housing Corporation budget, 9.6 million in provincial funding to repair major building components; 9.2 million in provincial funding to start multi-year repair and renovation projects; $41.3 million in operating maintenance capital; and 28.2 million for general maintenance — that’s minor repairs, fixes, and maintenance. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Brent Blakley: — Mr. Speaker, if the minister objects to the fact that he needs to do more faster, he can take it up with the Provincial Auditor. That’s a direct quote from her.

Mr. Speaker, it’s also a fact that things are getting worse and worse in Regina. The city’s unhoused population has gone up 250 per cent in the last decade — 250 per cent. My question for the minister is simply, is that not enough? Mr. Speaker, how much higher does that figure have to rise before the minister finally takes emergency action?

Hon. Terry Jenson: — Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Our government is actively addressing affordable housing. We’re not going to be sidetracked by those members opposite. We’re improving the social housing program in this province. We’re cutting red tape, removing barriers so that those in greatest need get housed on a priority basis, Mr. Speaker.

Sask Housing’s occupancy rate has been steadily rising, with over 87 per cent of units occupied as of January. In this budget we’ve set aside $88.4 million to ensure rent-ready units are available across the province. That includes 9.2 million of that in Saskatoon, Regina, and Prince Albert.

We’re also partnering with trusted community organizations that provide tenants with not only housing but services, wraparound services, that they may need. Our focus remains on creating a more responsive and accessible housing system for all. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

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