Problem: The government of Saskatchewan made changes to social services that circumvents landlords and utility companies and puts vulnerable populations at increased risk of eviction. 

The outcome: We are facing an unprecedented wave of evictions and nearly half of the folks on SIS who were supposed to pay rent last month either didn’t at all or made a partial payment. Several homes have no utilities connected. This is a recipe for disaster. 

Full Background:

In Saskatchewan there are 14,000 people on assistance. (Contrary to popular Facebook comments it’s a very small percentage of the population.) Some of these folks will find employment and leave the program when their situation improves. Some are not and likely will never be employable given the severity of their challenges. Some are actively battling addiction and in crisis, for which there are few existing supports and rehabilitation options immediately available. 

The Saskatchewan government decided that regardless of ability or likelihood of success, everyone should make their own rent payment and utility payments, including people in active addiction with no prior experience or ability to safely manage their housing related finances. Direct payment to landlords and utilities is no longer an option and landlords are faced with no choice but to evict once the tenant is in arrears. 

In September alone, it was reported that the Saskatchewan Landlords Association discovered close to 30% of rents from SIS tenants went unpaid. Nearly half of all rents to SIS receiving tenants were behind and at risk of eviction. 

Several nonprofits and community organizations have met with the Minister and the warnings have been given for years. Faith leaders have written letters. All efforts for common sense to prevail have fallen on deaf ears. 

This worrisome data is from the first month alone. Landlords are exasperated and dumping properties, nonprofits are pushed beyond their limits and the municipalities are looking for others to take the lead and not pushing the Province to the degree needed.

This does NOT need to be a system wide failure. This is a community effort that requires actual pressure from the public and education on the issues. We need your signature to tell Social Services they need to reinstate direct pay to landlords and utility companies NOW.

This is non partisan and non political. This is an ask for common sense to prevail. 

Please show your support.