The Government of Saskatchewan announced Tuesday that it is providing up to $1.7 million in additional funding in 2022-23 to increase the number emergency shelter spaces in the province.

This could potentially increase the number of spaces by up to 15 per cent.

The Ministry of Social Services will provide an additional $800,000 to community partners to support what they term “seasonal cost pressures”, and $900,000 to increase emergency shelter capacity by up to 60 spaces this winter in Prince Albert, Saskatoon and Regina.

The ministry is in discussions with service providers in the three communities to determine the number of additional emergency shelter spaces needed. The Ministry says it is also working to find new approaches to better support people who need more than a home to remain connected to housing.