Homeless people in Sask. seek shelter in apartment foyers as winter approaches
Landlord association calls on province to find solutions to curb homelessness
Residents and property owners in the province are reporting that as the weather turns colder, homeless people are seeking shelter inside the foyers or vestibules of apartment and condo buildings.
During the last few years, it has become an increasing health and security issue for residents in the buildings, said Cameron Choquette, CEO of the Saskatchewan Landlord Association.
"We've heard from our members across the province that now that the weather is getting colder, we're continuing to see homeless individuals find their way into foyers and vestibules to find a place to sleep during the night," Choquette said.
Choquette called on the province to find homes and shelter for homeless people so they can get off the streets, especially during wintertime.
"We don't want to have to call the police to get people out of our stairwells or our foyers, but we also want to make sure that we protect the health and safety of the building and the tenants inside," Choquette said.
Sarah, who became homeless two years ago, said she has broken into building foyers in the past. CBC has agreed not to use Sarah's last name for her safety.
Sarah said she ended up on the streets after her landlord died of COVID and she didn't have enough time to find a new place. She said it has been really difficult for her to find shelter.
"But then some people aren't very respectful of the places [the foyers] and then it kills it for everybody that do respect the place. So then they lock it and then you can't use it anymore," Sarah said.
She said when she can't find a place to sleep in the winter, she sleeps by a fire pit, pitches a tent and uses garbage bags to stop the wind from getting inside the tents.
Sarah wants organizations to do more to help people find shelter.
"They leave it entirely up to us, and I mean, yes, we should be able to do that," she said. "But sometimes some people just aren't good at it and, especially if you're on disability, they should be helping more."
Shirley Isbister, president of Central Urban Métis Federation Inc., said it takes desperation to get into building foyers and garages to look for a place to stay.
"If you're freezing, you're going to look for a place to stay warm," she said.
Isbister recounted an incident when a homeless man came knocking on her door in the middle of the night. She said she tried to phone someone to get help but the man walked away. She went out looking for him and found him standing outside a garage.
"He was dripping icicles and, at that garage, they didn't even let him in. He was standing outside that garage and nobody helped him," she said. "I got him into the car and I drove him to where he was going to be safe."
Isbister said community members should acknowledge the situation and help people when they can — such as when taxi drivers and bus drivers encounter homeless people.
Assistant fire chief Yvonne Raymer said the Saskatoon Fire Department has two fire bylaw inspectors who are responsible for dealing with people who enter buildings unlawfully or break into residential structures.
"We decided to take the approach like we would for any rehousing," Raymer said. "We basically offer them support. We make connections to transportation. Do they need ID? Do they have an income assistance worker? Do we need to connect them to the Ministry of Social Services? Do we need mental health?"
She said the department did not expect the two fire bylaw inspectors would become full-time positions, but they have been busy all day every day.
With files from Société Radio-Canada's Camille Cusset
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