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The City of Regina is reconsidering its approach to handling homeless encampments.
During Wednesday’s city council meeting, council unanimously voted to direct administration to research and review best practices on handling encampments – including the possibility of creating a designated site.
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The idea for the report came from Ward 6 Coun. Victoria Flores.
She said she’s heard many concerns from community members about the issue of homelessness.
“The issue of houselessness is not unique to Regina, and there are many jurisdictions across Canada that are looking at and are doing different things that are working well,” Flores told 980 CJME on Thursday.
“So the ask is to look at what’s going on, what’s working and come back with recommendations that may include things like designated sites where people can be provided support, rather than basically be in one encampment.”
Two officers stand by during the takedown of the Regina City Hall homeless encampment. July 28, (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)
Flores further explained that these approaches could potentially break the cycle of finding and dismantling the various encampments that have popped up across the city over the years.
“Regardless of what we do, encampments are out there already,” she said.
Although research into these measures could lead to better practices, Flores said the ultimate goal remains to provide housing to those experiencing homelessness and connect them to appropriate resources.
Flores also added that a designated site could provide a measure of safety.
“When you provide support, community and safety to those living in the encampment and to those around them, you have better outcomes as opposed to continuously moving people around where they lose their belongings or lose their community around them,” Flores said.
“If they’re in a constant state of stress, it’s so hard to connect someone to services and to get them on that path to being housed when they’re constantly in a state of being kicked out of the little place that they already have.”
City administration is expected to report back to council with its findings on Nov. 12. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME) (Photo from July 27, 2023 encampment at Regina’s City Hall)
Last fall, the Namerind Housing Corporation counted a minimum of 824 people experiencing homelessness in Regina – more than double the amount counted in 2021.
The City of Regina voted to declare a ‘houselessness crisis’ back in March.
The vote called for the Government of Saskatchewan to raise rates for income assistance programs and make empty housing units across the province available.
The declaration also called for the Government of Canada to invest in a national housing-first policy.
“Encampments are not the answer, but they are there. And since they’re there, I think we can have a better approach,” Flores said.
“Ideally, we work with different levels of government to find that ultimate housing solution, because I think that’s what everyone would like – to be able to have people who are unhoused have a home so they can stay there, and not necessarily in an encampment.”
City administration is expected to present its findings to council on Nov. 12.
