Former fire station identified as first site for new Government of Saskatchewan Emergency Shelter

The first of two new 30-bed emergency shelter facility sites has been selected.

The first site will be the former Fire Station #5 Located at 421 Central Avenue, which is anticipated to open as a temporary 30-bed emergency shelter in Spring 2024. Once further investments have been made into the facility by the Government of Saskatchewan, it is expected that the site will be in operation as an emergency shelter for the medium to long term.

The site meets the criteria outlined in an October 11, 2023 report to the Governance and Priorities Committee of City Council and is similar in size to other successful facilities in Saskatoon. Further details will be included in a report to be presented to City Council at its February 28, 2024 meeting. 

In October 2023, the Government of Saskatchewan announced a Provincial Approach to Homelessness that included funding for 60 new emergency shelter spaces in two locations in Saskatoon.

The Mustard Seed was selected by the Government of Saskatchewan to operate the shelters and the City has been asked to identify suitable locations for the two Emergency Residential Shelters.

The City agreed to lead the site selection process after receiving City Council direction at the October 11, 2023 Governance and Priorities Committee. Since then, City officials have worked with the Government of Saskatchewan to find suitable locations to meet those needs.

“There is a crisis of homelessness, both with increasing numbers of people who are without homes as well as the risks that come with colder winter temperatures,” says Fire Chief Morgan Hackl. “The City has repeatedly asked the Government of Saskatchewan for further supports in Saskatoon; they have committed to just that, and the City is supporting the Province and this sense of urgency by agreeing to find emergency shelter locations for those experiencing homelessness.”

The City will retain ownership of the building and proposes to lease it to the Government of Saskatchewan. The Saskatoon Fire Department staff will continue to have a presence in the neighbourhood.  

Next steps involve neighbourhood information meetings with representatives from the City, Government of Saskatchewan and its service provider, The Mustard Seed, that residents and business owners located near the former station will be invited to attend. The facilitated panel discussion portion of the meeting will be recorded and available on saskatoon.ca/shelterspaces for residents to view at their convenience. Information on the meetings will be provided to residents and businesses within a 300 metre radius of the former fire station.  

According to proper City Council procedure, the proposed location will require a number of City Council approvals, including:
 

•        removal of a Municipal Reserve (MR) Designation,
•        below market value lease to the Government of Saskatchewan,
•        duration of a Temporary Emergency Shelter for up to 18 months.

Additional steps for medium to long term use of the former fire station as a shelter will take place later this year. The City has led the site selection process but all costs related to facility operation and facility upgrades will be borne by the Government of Saskatchewan.

Finally, safety and security around the shelter is critical.

“As part of the Provincial Approach to Homelessness, the Government of Saskatchewan has made a commitment to develop additional outreach supports to enhance safety and security around shelter facilities,” says Chief Hackl. “These supports will further improve safety around emergency shelters and other areas impacted by homelessness, mental health and addictions issues.”