Regina city council OKs contentious 29-unit rapid housing project

A controversial housing project in Regina will go ahead.

On Wednesday afternoon, city council voted 8-3 to approve a land transfer for the 29 housing units after hearing both strong opposition and support from delegates. 

The land will be transferred to Silver Sage Holdings and the housing will be operated by Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services.

Last July, the city was awarded $7.75 million from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to help build 29 affordable housing units. The housing units would be for those transitioning away from homelessness and reintegrating into the community, including families.

"I'm excited by this project," said Ward 2 Coun. Bob Hawkins, who voted in favour of the project. "I think it will lead to stronger citizens. I think that the children that go up in this project will grow up in a strong community, will be fully engaged with excellent education, will mix well with their peers and will one day become leaders in Regina."

Ward 7 Coun. Terina Shaw, who voted against the project, said there was a lack of consultation from city administration before the decision was made to locate the project within her ward.

"Our community has nothing against homelessness initiatives," Shaw said. "We are not racist. We are hurt. Never consulted. Never came to us for help. Never came to us for ideas until after it was done. We had questions. We wanted answers. Council and administration made our community look bad and that I take offence to."

Both city administration and the mayor have said they are working on improving consultation for future projects.

Shaw thanked city manager Chris Holden for apologizing for the way the project was handled.

"We know we can do better, and I acknowledge and appreciate you saying that to myself and our ward."

At a virtual meeting in early January, and again on Wednesday, some people expressed concerns about personal safety, drug use and the possibility of mentally unstable individuals living in the affordable housing units.

Mayor Sandra Masters supported the project, but said better communication with residents is needed for future projects.

"It could have been predicted that there would have been concerns from the public," said Masters.

She said engaging with the public is more than just taking surveys and delivering pamphlets.

"They deserve to be engaged with and have information shared with them," Masters said. "I'm not prepared to pat myself on the back when we've left such hard feelings behind in a community."

Hawkins said the project will make Regina a better city.

"This is a project that I think will bring credit to our city, will provide examples on how we could deal with problems related to poverty, to homelessness, and how we can help our citizens get a hand up."

The site for the housing units — 120 Broad St., near Imperial Community School and a seniors care home — was announced in December, after city administration explored around 20 property options, according to Holden.

The city purchased the site, which it says is well-suited to the project due to its size, appropriate zoning and proximity to transit, community resources and amenities.

The project is not an emergency shelter — a point which seemed to cause confusion for some delegates at last week's executive committee meeting.

Erica Beaudin, the executive director of Regina Treaty/Status Indian Services, which will be operate the housing units, said there is a misconception that people will be coming and going constantly from the affordable units, or that people who will use the housing will be dangerous.

In fact, the units will be available to people who have already been working with supports for months and who are ready to live independently, she said at last week's meeting.

"We see this as … [a] continuum of services for individuals so that they become independent, responsible citizens in the city of Regina," she said.

Beaudin said her organization will continue to consult and have dialogue with all stakeholders in the community.

"What what we will be very conscious of is any sort of paternalism or any sort of expected oversight over my organization," she added. "That is not expected from any other non-Indigenous organization that is in the community. However, we are always open and look forward to being that positive point in the community for it."