(file photo/paNOW)

By Angela Brown

ML Homeplate Shelter Coalition

Meadow Lake group sees progress with homeless shelter plans

May 17, 2023 | 4:06 PM

A Meadow Lake grassroots group is continuing to move ahead with its plans to start an emergency shelter.

Meadow Lake Homeplate Shelter Coalition Corp. recently provided an update on its ongoing work to help the homeless.

The non profit is looking at an Oct. 1 target date to open a new temporary shelter located at 215-First Street E. in downtown Meadow Lake. The facility will be able to accommodate up to 20 people.

Rev. SunDo Hyun of Grace United Church, one of the coalition’s board members, is glad to see the work moving ahead.

“We are very excited about the progress we have made,” he said.

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A local businessman is providing the building space to be used for the shelter, and $20,000 in seed money for the project. The coalition will be able to lease the site at close to no cost.

As well, a local contractor committed in-kind labour in the value of $20,000 for the renovation work. Mattresses and furniture for the shelter have been acquired from the former NorthWest Community Lodge (Northland Pioneer Lodge) site.

“Once we get the renovations for the temporary shelter building done, we will start looking for security and a shelter manager position in the fall,” Hyun said.

He added the coalition is looking for an opportunity to apply for a grant for the homeless shelter project.

As well, Hyun noted after the coalition receives charitable status, it will be able to issue tax receipts for donations to Homeplate.

“Once we get the charitable donation status, we will try to promote a community-wide campaign [for support], so we can run the shelter properly in the fall,” he said.

“Second Stage Housing” funding announced

Another project the Homeplate Shelter Coalition is working on is called “Second Stage Housing.”

Through the initiative, the coalition will enter into a lease agreement with Meadow Lake Housing Authority, currently for two houses, to be used by people transitioning out of homelessness. The goal is to make the homes available to clients beginning June 1 if possible. About four people would be accommodated in each house. The individuals or clients would be responsible for paying the reduced rent as they receive social assistance or other funding.

“Depending on the number of clients, if they increase, we could have up to four units [houses] in our project proposal,” Hyun said. “But at the moment, we are going to start with two units [houses]…The support worker will work closely with the clients to help them maintain their housing, and connect them with other community services – mental health, job opportunities and life-skills training.”

The coalition is thrilled to have been awarded $408,255 in grant funding for the project from Métis Nation – Saskatchewan, through the 2023-24 federal “Reaching Home” program for strategies that help address chronic homelessness.

Homeplate is currently working to hire for two positions – a Project Manager and a Support Worker – for the initiative.

It is also in the process of purchasing furniture and household items for both Second Stage Housing sites.

The coalition reports, it is a lot of work but everything is beginning to come into place gradually, with everyone’s efforts.

—

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @meadowlakenow