Social Services Minister Paul Merriman announced in a press conference Tuesday the provinces plan to support Saskatchewan鈥檚 most vulnerable citizens during the COVID-19 crisis.
鈥淥ur government has been working hard to develop strategies to help Saskatchewan people affected by this crisis,鈥� Merriman said.
One point of the province鈥檚 pandemic response plan includes one-time additional funding of $171,000 targeted at meeting the extra cost pressures emergency shelters are experiencing as they continue to serve those in need during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Merriman said the additional $171,000 brings total funding for emergency shelters to $3.93 million.
He added organizations receiving the increase are the Lloydminster Men鈥檚 Shelter, YWCA Regina - My Aunt鈥檚 Place, YWCA Prince Albert, YWCA Saskatoon, Lighthouse Saskatoon, Lighthouse North Battleford, Salvation Army Saskatoon, Salvation Army Regina, Soul鈥檚 Harbour Regina and Soul鈥檚 Harbour Moose Jaw.
鈥淲e want to make sure that all shelters are covered during this,鈥� Merriman said.
Merriman said shelters are going to have to reduce their capacity due to COVID-19.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we wanted to make sure that we had an overflow into the hotels temporarily until we can find them some permanent home,鈥� Merriman said.
鈥淲e want to make sure that if there is capacity in there that they are still maintaining social distancing that our chief medical health officer has outlined for everybody,鈥� he added.
Also announced in the province鈥檚 pandemic response plan is a modified delivery service model. When emergency shelters are unable to meet the needs of an individual or family because of capacity issues, Social Services will support those in need with funds for emergency hotel stays and will work to transition clients to permanent housing.
There are approximately 1,700 vacant Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) units located in 29 larger communities that will be leveraged to ensure those impacted by COVID-19 are able to access housing or an individualized space to self-isolate.
Additionally, Social Services is also acting on the request from the Saskatchewan Youth in Care and Custody Network to delay transitions to independence for young people. This means for youth that age out of care during the COVID-19 pandemic will not be transitioned out of their current housing.
The province will also be providing a new housing benefit which will be open for applications starting April 1.
The benefit is available for eligible households including seniors, families, couples and singles who rent from a community housing provider, pay more than 50 per cent of income on rent and utilities, have income and assets below the program limits, or are not receiving another government benefit to help with their housing costs.
Eligible households that require one bedroom will receive $150 a month. Households that require two bedrooms will receive $200 a month, and households that require three or more bedrooms will receive $250 a month.
