Latrine to be delivered to Regina’s Core Community Park as Tent City grows – Regina | The Canadian News

As a newly established tent city grows in Regina’s Core Community Park, several local organizations are coming together to secure services like food, shelter, and restrooms for the community.

An outhouse will be delivered Tuesday, to be added to the trash bins, sharps containers, naloxone, food, water and blankets already delivered to the site, which has grown to seven tents since it was established on Friday. .

Speaking on Friday, organizers said they have been increasingly motivated to act amid fears of a surge in homelessness in Regina.

“In September, when the Saskatchewan Homeowners Association conducted a survey of some 2,600 rental units rented to Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) customers, they were not paid 30% or 31%, and another 18% were paid partially, “said Carmichael Outreach Board Chair Alysia Johnson refers to recent changes in income support in Saskatchewan.

“We need to give people an option that is not in dumpsters, in alleys, scattered everywhere.”

The SIS, which replaced the Saskatchewan Assistance Program (SAP) and the Transitional Employment Subsidy, was implemented in 2019. SAP officially closed on August 31 this year.

One way that SIS differs from its predecessors is that your housing benefit is sent directly to the customer, rather than to the owner. Organizers in the tent city fear the change could lead to unpaid rent and evictions, especially among those struggling with substance use disorder.

As of Tuesday morning, Regina Needle Recovery and Community Support spokesperson Shylo Stevenson said there are currently seven tents in the park, housing a fluctuating population of 12 to 20 people.

He said Carmichael Outreach secured the latrine, which Loraas will deliver sometime Tuesday for a reduced cost.

Still on the organizers’ wish list: construction fence, tarps to cover the fence, and a generator.

The community is also accepting donations of food, blankets, long underwear, and hand warmers.

When asked for comment Friday on the developing community, the City of Regina provided the following statement from City Manager Chris Holden:

“The City of Regina remains open to exploring options on how to best support people in our community who experience or are at risk of homelessness.”

“The lines of communication are open with a series of community organizations, as well as with the Ministry of Social Services, to analyze interventions such as warming spaces or emergency shelter options.”

“We do not believe that a ‘tent city’ in Pepsi Park is the best outcome for any member of our community and we look forward to continuing the dialogue as we seek a community solution for our most vulnerable.”