A senior passed away while awaiting admission to a supportive housing program run by a non-profit organization in Moose Jaw. The individual, who had been residing in his vehicle, was evaluated for the program but unfortunately died while in the hospital.
According to Maxton Eckstein, the general manager at Square One Community Inc., the organization had no available vacancies due to current funding constraints, preventing them from accommodating the man despite his high position on the waitlist. Since April, the federally funded program has provided housing for 36 individuals, with over 50 others still awaiting assistance.
Square One estimates that around 125 people in Moose Jaw face homelessness weekly, a figure that has doubled since 2023. Eckstein emphasized the growing visibility of individuals struggling with mental health issues and addictions in the community, highlighting the crucial need for increased support services to prevent further tragic outcomes.
The tragic incident prompted the NDP representatives, Trent Wotherspoon and Brent Blakley, to call for immediate provincial intervention. They criticized the government for neglecting to aid organizations like Square One amidst the rising demand for support in smaller Saskatchewan cities.
Wotherspoon highlighted the worsening housing situation in Moose Jaw over the past 18 years under the Sask. Party’s governance, noting a doubling of rental rates. The NDP urged the government to allocate more provincial funding for community housing to ensure residents have stable housing and do not endure daily struggles to find shelter.
Eckstein revealed that discussions with the Social Services Ministry revealed a lack of funding for the upcoming calendar year, with potential consideration for the following year. The province emphasized ongoing communication with Square One and outlined the process for connecting individuals in need of emergency shelter services to suitable alternatives if existing facilities are at capacity.
