The lack of a women’s shelter in Moose Jaw has been a long-standing issue in the city. 

According to Moose Jaw North MLA Tim McLeod, a women’s homeless shelter in Moose Jaw is on the provincial government’s radar. 

While Moose Jaw Transition House takes in women who are facing violence and abuse and Riverside Mission is a men’s homeless shelter, there is no place to go for homeless women in Moose Jaw. 

Organizations such as Square One Communities have been fundraising and applying for provincial and federal funding to build a women’s shelter in the city. 

McLeod said he and Moose Jaw Wakamow MLA Greg Lawrence have been in contact with Square One and are staying abreast of the situation. 

“The province is committed to continue to work with our community-based organizations like the folks at Square One on issues like this. The important information that Square One is gathering that can inform that decision is incredibly valuable to the government making decisions moving forward,” McLeod said. 

Especially with winter upon us, McLeod said the government is committed to making sure that no one, male or female, are left out in the cold with no place to go. 

“Any community-based organization is free to open a shelter and social services does provide per diem funding for income assistance clients that may need to use shelter. The government will pay for hotel rooms for anybody who is unhoused. We are not going to leave people out in the cold,” he said. 

Square One Communities is looking to build a women’s shelter as well as a warming centre as well as create a business plan to accomplish these projects. 

Recently, the organization signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Moose Jaw Non-Profit Housing Corporation to tap into their experience in property management. 

You can learn more about Square One or to donate toward their cause, you can check out their website or Facebook page