North Central identified as location for proposed permanent emergency shelter

The location of Regina's proposed permanent emergency shelter was revealed Friday afternoon.

According to the agenda for next week's city council meeting, the location is 1420 Albert Street and 1440 Albert Street.

The file will be submitted to the municipal council for approval on June 12.

The project will cost $7.5 million and council is expected to discuss borrowing $3 million from the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation to help cover it. The project would also receive $3 million from the federal government, leaving the city to pay the remaining $1.5 million.

Council is expected to decide whether to approve the allocation of $1.5 million in additional investment funds from the social development reserve.

City staff previously told council the property is approximately 20,000 square feet, while the building itself is approximately 20,000 square feet.

The proposed facility would house 50 people, a similar number to the city's current temporary shelter at the Nest Health Center, located in the former YMCA building on 13th Avenue.

The city's lease with the Nest Center will expire in summer 2025. It has 55 beds.

It was created “based on the increased need to alleviate pressures on existing shelters and ultimately support vulnerable people experiencing homelessness in Regina,” according to a public report from the city.