The Ministry of Social Services is teaming up with the John Howard Society to fund a new 15-bed co-ed emergency shelter in Moose Jaw that will operate for the next three months.
Willow Lodge opened on Jan. 22 at 83 Ominica Street West in the former SaskTel office and provides emergency shelter services to men and women between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m. Furthermore, referrals from the government and other community agencies for clients to programs and services will assist people by connecting them to the supports they need to transition to safe and stable housing.
The province is investing $124,400 to establish the shelter, which the John Howard Society (JHS) will operate from Jan. 22 to March 31. This funding is part of the ministry’s Provincial Approach to Homeless program that it announced in October.
The JHS of Saskatchewan provides prevention, intervention, support services and advocacy in communities to support positive social outcomes.
"For the past few years, our organization has offered supports for people experiencing homelessness in Moose Jaw," said Shawn Fraser, CEO of the John Howard Society of Saskatchewan. "We understand that shelters are not a long-term solution to dealing with poverty, but we also know a lot of the folks who will likely utilize the shelter and look forward to helping with this important project."
The Hon. Gene Makowsky, minster of Social Services, said the ministry was pleased to support the JHS in its work of caring for residents in the community who are experiencing homelessness.
“The co-ed shelter is the result of collaborative efforts between the province, city, Square One Community Inc., and John Howard Society of Saskatchewan to improve outcomes for people experiencing homelessness in Moose Jaw," he said.
According to the ministry, the $40.2 million investment in new funding through the Provincial Approach to Homelessness program over the next two years will create 155 new supportive housing spaces, 120 new permanent emergency shelter spaces, and enhance community safety and outreach responses.
The additional funding for 120 new emergency shelter spaces in Saskatchewan communities, based on need, will mean roughly 500 permanent emergency shelter spaces are available across the province this winter, the ministry added.
