The Saskatchewan NDP says that the provincial government is putting homeless people in hotels in Regina and Saskatoon

NDP Shadow Minister for Housing April ChiefCalf says that a tender has paid two hotels to house homeless people and adds that there are likely more.

“The government has awarded the Country Inn and Suites Saskatoon with $613,570 and Travelodge Suites Regina Eastgate $960,662 as an annual estimate to house social services clients.”

Chiefcalf believes that the government may be using even more hotels and motels throughout the province to house people.

“Social Services Minister Terry Jensen yesterday told reporters that the government has even more hotels in use, including, against the advice of his officials, a Regina motel known for its drugs and bugs.”

The NDP believes that a better plan for taking action against homelessness would include building and maintaining affordable housing as well as rent control in the province. Chiefcalf adds that the people staying in the hotels would be better off in affordable housing.

“They have more than 2000 vacant affordable housing units across the province, and instead of making them suitable for people, this government is funnelling over a million dollars, likely millions of dollars, into homeless hotels.”

ChiefCalf plans to bring forward rent control legislation next week.