An overnight warming location is available at the Salvation Army downtown. It does not offer beds or even tables, but people can get out of the cold. (Susan McNeil/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

Homelessness

Homeless population in Prince Albert doubles as city works on services

Feb 13, 2025 | 5:00 PM

A count of the homeless population in Prince Albert shows a near-doubling of unhoused people between 2022 and 2024.

The 2024 Point-in-Time count identified 230 individuals living here with no homes. Broken down further, 106 people were unsheltered completely unsheltered, referred to as living rough.

Two years before that, 120 people were homeless and 57 of those were unsheltered. Amongst the homeless population, some may be staying at the emergency shelter, the women’s shelter or other temporary accommodations.

Encampments have become a growing concern in the city and this count shows 64 people reported staying in an encampment.

The City of Prince Albert now tracks encampments on an interactive map on its websites. The public can report and encampment and click on the tent icon to see if it was removed or not.

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In 2024, 424 encampments were reported.

READ MORE: Needles, encampments can be reported online.

The increased numbers are not a surprise to those who work with homeless people. They have been saying for months that they know there has a been a significant increase.

Part of the overall increase in count may be due to getting better at finding and counting people, but it’s not enough to explain the big jump. The data helps the city not only organize a response, but show the need when it asks for help from other bodies, such as provincial or federal governments.

“While this count provides a snapshot, we know that homelessness is a complex issue requiring strong partnerships and innovative responses. Prince Albert’s community partners have been working hard to increase knowledge of and responses to homelessness, and this data underscores the urgency of that work,” said Anna Dinsdale, Community Safety and Well-Being Manager.

In the last several years, the City of Prince Albert has been actively working on formulating its own response to homelessness.

Mayor Bill Powalinksy said on multiple occasions that he campaigned on a platform of increased transparency and the Community Solutions Forum section on the city’s website is a key way the public can keep informed.

He also is pushing for a decision from council, using data and evidence to decide on the best spot for a permanent homeless shelter location.

“I think we need to have the courage that I’ve seen other municipalities and jurisdictions take and, deciding on a homeless location, I really think that we need to look at evidence-based research as to what happens when you do have a shelter, ” he said during a meeting in December 2024.

READ MORE: The City of Prince Albert calls in service workers when they close encampments

Provincial money for the shelter is waiting until the community chooses a location, a process that has taken over four years now.

Recently the city wrapped up four meetings that were meant to gain input from residents on what would constitute a good location. At the same time, representatives from multiple agencies ranging from police to the YWCA and bylaw officers were on hand to share their roles and experiences working with homeless people.

A final report on the results of those meetings and an online survey is scheduled to be put in front of council before the end of March. Council will then have the task of deciding on the best spot even as every possible choice so far has had pushback from the surrounding community.

Meanwhile, a continued cold snap in central Saskatchewan is re-enforcing the dangers of living rough.

The city announced a second location as a temporary measure called The Meeting Place, hosted by the Salvation Army at its downtown location along Central Avenue.

While not a bed shelter, The Meeting Place is an overnight warming location. It opened at the end of December with funding from the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation and has sheltered 160 individuals in the eight weeks since.

“With extreme cold temperatures expected this week, we urge anyone needing a warm place to seek shelter at The Meeting Place. No one should have to face these dangerous conditions alone. If you know someone who may need help, please encourage them to come in or connect them with available resources,” said Dinsdale.

Warming locations in Prince Albert.

Like Stepping Stones at the Exhibition Centre, The Meeting Place has onsite security, help from bylaw officers and the Community Safety Officer and enhanced police support.

The Meeting Place will continue its operations until the end of April. It opens at 9pm and closes at 6 am but the times work with other warming locations.

Police Chief Patrick Nogier confirmed to paNOW that city police no longer offer their cells as an emergency place to go.

“We’ve had to really evaluate what we offer to the community as a result of a service. Anyone that has come down to our cell area knows, it’s not an area that’s designed for comfort. It’s an area that’s designed for very specific reasons,” he said.

“We need to make sure we have a complete separation between the two purposes.”

Officers are aware of the services available to people who may be out on the streets in the cold winter weather and can point them there.

They occasionally give people rides there but even that is pushing the parameters.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social