Regina Minute: Homelessness Grant, Social Housing, and the Water Network Expansion

Regina Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Regina politics

This Week In Regina:

• There will be a meeting of City Council on Wednesday at 1:00 pm. The agenda includes amendments to the flag protocol that would stipulate that only the flags of Canada, Saskatchewan, the City of Regina, Treaty 4 and the Metis Nation, as well as the Union Jack, be flown in the courtyard of City Hall and in Council Chambers. Changes would discontinue the practice of raising flags of other nations to honour their National Days, except in cases where an official dignitary from a nation recognized by Canada visits City Hall. Additionally, there would be allowances for the raising of flags from charitable or cultural organizations, provided they meet specific criteria and do not represent commercial or political interests. Council will also discuss dissolving the Human Resources Sub-Committee, the allocation of Senior Men’s Hockey Ice Time, and debt financing for the Water Network Expansion Project. (More on that last one below!).
  
  
• The Regina Board of Police Commissioners will meet on Thursday at 9:00 am. No agenda is available for this meeting yet.
  
  
• The City of Regina and Saskatchewan's Water Security Agency are urging residents to avoid walking, playing, or driving on freezing water bodies as ice may not be safe. Regina Fire & Protective Services warns that appearances can be deceptive, and ice thickness and strength can vary significantly across different areas. Residents are advised to keep pets leashed near ice and educate children about the dangers of thin ice. The WSA recommends checking ice thickness before venturing out, with specific guidelines for safe activity levels, such as 10 centimeters for walking and 30 centimeters for vehicles.

Last Week In Regina:

• The Executive Committee agreed to pursue a $3.5 million grant from the federal government to address homelessness and encampments. The funding is part of the Unsheltered Homelessness and Encampment Initiative, which the federal government offered to Regina and Saskatoon. The plan includes allocating funds to support existing programs such as the Nest shelter, the Regina Street Team, and the YWCA, with the aim of reducing homelessness over the next two years. A final vote on the application will take place on December 11th.
  
  
• The Executive Committee also approved a 1.39% mill rate increase for 2025 to fund a major water infrastructure project in the city’s east and northeast. The Water Network Expansion Project includes a pump station, two reservoirs, and over 8 kilometers of water mains, with a total budget of $185 million. To proceed, the City plans to borrow $100 million in 2025, with an additional $85 million allocated for 2026. Final approval will take place at Council’s December 11th meeting.
  
  
• Saskatchewan's Provincial Auditor has criticized the management of social housing in Regina, where 17.8% of the 3,000 housing units are vacant, despite 404 households waiting for placement. Many of these vacant units require repairs, and the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation has been faulted for failing to analyze demand trends or prioritize necessary repairs. The audit revealed that Regina consistently has the province's highest social housing vacancy rate and that its housing offerings no longer align with current needs. The cost of maintaining vacant units is significant, with the government spending $1.2 million annually. The Auditor's report calls for better tracking and strategic planning to address the mismatch between available units and community demand.