The Battlefords homeless shelter is operated by Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Help for the homeless

BATC promises emergency shelter will remain, despite Lighthouse changes

Mar 6, 2023 | 1:55 PM

While the Lighthouse Supported Living Inc. non-profit has gone into receivership, Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs Inc. (BATC) confirmed the Battlefords emergency shelter service will continue to be available regardless of the outcome.

The Battlefords homeless shelter is operated by BATC but the building is owned by the Lighthouse.

BATC Chief Executive Officer Joan Bear said Miwasin Kikinaw: Our Home is Good, will continue to offer its services.

“We do have a lease agreement with them [the Lighthouse],” she said. “So, at this point, we are just exploring what all the options are in trying to find out who our contact is with the receiver, which I understand Is Meyers Norris Penny [MNP]. We are watching this whole situation very closely to see what the outcome is going to be.”

Bear said BATC is trying to glean more details on the issue, related to the emergency shelter building.

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If the building were to be sold as an asset, she said BATC would possibly consider buying it.

“We’ve invested a substantial amount of money into that building, to renovate it and make it a clean, safe shelter for our relatives [people seeking emergency shelter],” Bear said. “We have to look at all of our options at this point to ensure that we continue with service, so there is no disruptions for that.”

She said BATC plans to meet this week with the City of North Battleford and Métis Nation–Saskatchewan (MN-S) that have provided funding support to the emergency shelter previously.

“There are meetings set up to explore the options and see: What does the receiver have to say, and where is the Lighthouse on the whole situation,” Bear said. “I don’t know at this point what the rules of engagement are with the receiver, if they have to sell the property or what’s happening with it 100 per cent.”

In any event, she said, BATC is looking at continuing services to provide emergency shelter in the Battlefords.

“It’s just a matter of: Is it going to be at that particular location or is it going to be at a different one,” Bear said. “Until we explore all the options, it’s kind of hard to comment on it to say: This is what we are doing.”

Regardless of the outcome, she assures residents that BATC will continue to be there to support the homeless and those needing emergency shelter.

“We’re definitely here to support all the relatives, and make sure that they receive the same good service that we’ve provided in the last year and a half, to make sure things are going smoothly,” Bear said.

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angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW