The Lloydminster Men’s Shelter‘s recent transitional housing project proposal was not selected by The Saskatchewan Housing Group.
Without capital funding, the proposal couldn’t go forward.
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“We had to retract our submission to the city planning department because we couldn’t secure this funding,” said the shelter’s executive director Kagan Kneen, noting the project’s goal was to give community members a stable place to live while moving from emergency shelter to independent housing.
“Not because of community pushback. We actually received overwhelmingly positive support from so many in the community with this proposal, which we are extremely grateful for.”
Kneen spoke to Saskatchewan Housing Corp officials after the decision and was told the application was strong. The issue, they said, was budget
“They explained other communities had higher needs than Lloydminster,” said Kneen. “It came down to funding, not whether the project was needed here.”
Kneen said the proposed transitional housing would have filled a gap in Lloydminster’s housing issue, while noting the shelter often sees clients who are ready to leave emergency shelter but cannot find affordable, stable housing with the supports they need to succeed long-term.
“Without transitional options, many end up cycling back into homelessness,” said Kneen. “We’re doing everything we can within the shelter, but at some point, we need more than just beds. We need the next step.”
For Kneen, the decision was a setback, not the end of the road.
“We know this model works. It’s about getting the right people to the table and making the numbers work,” he said, adding the need in Lloydminster is only growing. “We’ll keep looking for other funding streams.”
The shelter will continue advocating for the project with both provincial governments.
The Meridian Source reached out to Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young for comment on transitional housing in the city and what the plan is going forward. We have not received a response to date.
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