The Saskatchewan Housing Corporation is purchasing the Lighthouse. The announcement was made after the Court of King’s Bench approved the sale of the Lighthouse in Saskatoon on Monday.  President and CEO of the SHC, Louise Michaud, says they take possession on January 5th. The SHC has maintained a financial interest in the building through a forgivable loan.

Michaud explains that after the provincial government stopped funding the emergency shelter in that building in downtown Saskatoon just over a year ago, the people in those spaces were taken in by other organizations, but the supported and independent living spaces continued with the Lighthouse acting as landlord for the 127 suites. One tower is for supported living and the other is for independent living with their own full service apartments.

As far as the people sleeping out front of The Lighthouse, Michaud says because they haven’t taken possession yet, she doesn’t have a definitive answer, but she doesn’t believe they are receiving supports inside the building. She adds that they will be developing community safety plans with stakeholders once they take possession.

Admissions to the Lighthouse will be halted upon possession of the property.  Michaud says residents will transition to subsidized or supportive housing in the community over the next two or three years.  Once alternate housing and support services are in place and long-term transition plans are complete, SHC plans to divest the property. The government will develop a Request for Services to seek an organization capable of providing programs and services to current residents at the current location and potentially in a new location or locations.