The Government of Saskatchewan is providing the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) with a $350,000 grant to extend the Sawêyihtotân project, which helps people who are homeless find stable and long-term housing. The project will continue for another year, until March 31, 2024.

The project supports clients from when they experience homelessness, and continuing throughout stabilization, transitional housing and long-term housing. Currently the STC is running the Emergency Wellness Shelter that has been moved from 1st Avenue downtown to Saskatoon’s Fairhaven neighbourhood. A government news release says Sawêyihtotân has also improved access to detox services, reduced the rate of unlawful inhabitations and improved safety in downtown Saskatoon.

Along with providing access to short- and long-term housing, STC also offers outreach services, daily health check-ins, transportation assistance and meal delivery.

Sawêyihtotân began as a pilot project in 2020 and was initially given $100,000. When it was extended in 2021 the Government of Saskatchewan provided the Saskatoon Tribal Council with an additional $350,000 to continue their work. The ministry also partners with STC on the mobile workforce initiative, which places Income Assistance staff at community-based organizations and helps clients with complex needs to access services where they are.