The City of Saskatoon and The Lighthouse Supported Living Centre are working with community stakeholders to try to address the complex issues of homelessness, addictions and mental health issues. Mayor Charlie Clark says everyone is on board with what the Lighthouse is doing, but some are concerned with what happens just outside its facility in downtown Saskatoon.

The Mayor says these are the people that are falling through the cracks and the community needs to coordinate to find answers. That’s why there was a meeting that included representatives from emergency and social services, business owners, and various levels of government.

Clark finds it frustrating when there are no detox beds available so the person ends up in jail overnight and then is released back onto the street with nowhere to go. He adds that it’s not thousands of people – it’s around 20 to 25 people at any given time in the downtown core facing these really chronic, addictions and mental health issues.

The Lighthouse has programs that include an emergency shelter, supported living, a stabilization unit for manageable intoxicated people to recover, and a mobile outreach team. Board Chair, Jerome Hepfner, explains that some of the people outside the building are those that haven’t accepted help yet, or they could be too disruptive. He says these are the people that need the most help, but there is nowhere for them to go.