A coalition in Meadow Lake is working to secure a permanent solution to homelessness in the community. (Elliott Knopp/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Elliott Knopp

Homelessness Coalition

Meadow Lake groups working to address local homelessness

Jan 10, 2022 | 5:46 PM

With homelessness identified as an area of concern in Meadow Lake, a group of local organizations is working to bring a resolution to the matter.

Outreach Ministries, Saskatchewan Health Authority, North West Friendship Centre, Grace United Church, Salvation Army and Flying Dust First Nation have come together to form the Meadow Lake Homelessness Coalition.

The team is collaborating on a movement to acquire funding for hiring personnel to evaluate homelessness in the community and secure appropriate accommodations.

In an interview with meadowlakeNOW, Bill Sclater, a member of the board with Outreach Ministries, explained the group originally formed in 2019 for the same reason, but encountered several significant challenges with the initial outbreak of COVID-19.

He added the group is once again looking at securing funding nearly three years after their first attempt.

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“There’s a proposal being worked on right now, but we’re not sure where that’s going to end up,” he said.

“They really want to do something in the Northwest here, because there is a significant problem.”

Currently, there are a few small units run by Outreach Ministries to accommodate those in need of emergency shelter. However, Sclater revealed those units are occupied, leaving very few options for those without.

The group previously worked to acquire a facility for temporary housing, but found many of the vacant facilities in Meadow Lake would not be an adequate option.

“It’s a matter of trying to find the right place, and it’s not an easy solution to come up with,” Sclater said.

He added while the challenge of having an arrangement in place to deal with the current season may not come to fruition, there is still optimism there will be a foundation in place at some point this year.

“Hopefully, next winter, we’ll have a solution that will work so we can look after people and make sure they have a safe place to lay their head.”

Anyone with spare winter jackets, gloves and other seasonal apparel they are willing to donate can make a contribution to Outreach Ministries to immediately support those in need.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp