Warming Space Funding for Regina In collaboration with the Province of Saskatchewan and Carmichael Outreach

City Council has approved $100,000 in new funding for the City’s Cold Weather Strategy to make a warming space available as soon as possible. With additional support of a $200,000 grant from the Ministry of Social Services, the City is working with Carmichael Outreach to invest those funds as a one-time grant to ensure a warming space is available this winter.

In addition, the City is cognizant of the immediate need among our most vulnerable residents and will be working with the Downtown Regina Community Support Team to support a warming bus located in front of Carmichael Outreach later this week, in time for the extreme drop in temperatures. The warming bus will stay operational until the indoor warming space is available for the transition. More details on operating hours will be forthcoming in the next couple of days.

“The City of Regina is grateful to partner with the Province of Saskatchewan in supporting this additional warming space for our community,” said Mayor Sandra Masters.  “We are committed to continually improving access and services for residents during cold weather events”.  

“We are pleased to assist in making this important initiative possible through a $200,000 grant from the province to support the City of Regina’s Cold Weather Strategy,” said Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky. “Through this collaboration, more vulnerable people in Regina will have access this winter to supports needed to assist them on their path to achieving stability and stable housing.”

The Cold Weather Strategy is designed to work with existing services to support situational awareness and coordinate efforts among human service sectors and community-based organizations to ensure that unsheltered individuals and other populations in vulnerable contexts have access to warming spaces and services during the winter months.

Extreme weather can create significant risks for residents experiencing houselessness. Impacts from severe cold and heat illness can affect resident well-being and safety.

Carmichael Outreach is a long-standing Community Partner of the City of Regina and offers critical services to individuals experiencing houselessness. Their location is a vital component to the Heritage Community and has become a community hub for individuals seeking support and services. 

Funding provided by the City of Regina and Ministry of Social Services will enable Carmichael Outreach to extend their hours overnight until the end of winter. The funds will allow the organization to operate a 50-80 person overnight warming space, offering a safe space for community members to get out of the extreme weather. Carmichael Outreach is planning to have this critical space open by mid-January.

The City of Regina remains committed to the safety of all residents, and to continued collaboration with the community and other levels of government to address the needs of our most vulnerable residents.

Information on warming spaces and services across the City are available on Regina.ca by searching “temporary shelter” or “warming spaces.” Included in that list are various Regina Public Library locations, Community Associations, and community-based organizations.