The discussion about supportive housing programs, their effect on matters of homelessness, and the impact they have on the community at large continues in the wake of the death of man while on the waitlist for housing recently. The opposition NDP and the Ministry of Social Services have both weighed in on the matter, and Max Eckstein, general manager of Square One Community Inc. — the organization that oversees Moose Jaw's supportive housing program — has issued a response to the Ministry of Social Services statement. Square One Community Inc. says the Ministry of Social Services’ response misses the central issue: supportive housing capacity in Moose Jaw. The full statement reads as follows: “Emergency shelters are important, but they are not a substitute for supportive housing, nor do they actively end homelessness” said Max Eckstein, General Manager of Square One. “Last winter the shelter exceeded capacity consistently, and extensive provincial resources were spent on hotel stays for large numbers of individuals on a nightly basis at an exorbitant cost. There is also an increasingly growing list of individuals who are unwelcome at local hotels due to past experiences caused by their complex cases.” “What we need is for people experiencing homelessness in Moose Jaw to have an opportunity to be housed in Square One’s supportive housing program, where they will receive wrap around supports that work on actively developing their capacity for independence, so they no longer need to rely on expensive emergency services indefinitely.” “The gentleman who recently passed away didn’t need just a bed for the night — he needed stable housing with intensive supports to manage his chronic health conditions, and other factors that led to his experience of homelessness. Having access to the services an intensive supportive housing program provides could have potentially saved his life. We have 52 other individuals on our waitlist who are experiencing homelessness right now, who need the comprehensive intervention only a program like Square One Community can provide.” Square One has currently housed 36 people out of chronic homelessness but has over 50 more waiting for life changing supports. Eckstein said the gap is leaving vulnerable people at risk every day. “Emergency shelters cannot prevent these kinds of tragedies on their own. Stability and wraparound supports give people a fighting chance,” he said. “We need the province to partner with us, so people aren’t forced to live in vehicles, sleep outdoors, seek shelter in condemned buildings or hide in stairwells while waiting for housing.” With over 50 people waiting for supportive housing, vulnerable individuals remain at risk every day. By investing in Square One, the province has an opportunity to save lives, reduce visible homelessness, and strengthen downtown vitality.” The Ministry of Social Services has issued the following in response to Eckstein's comments: Homelessness is a complex issue, and to address it, the Government of Saskatchewan works closely with Indigenous and community partners along with other levels of government to develop the network of services available in communities across the province. Service providers can and should reach out to us when they become aware of a client who may be experiencing challenges so we can assist in connecting them to the supports that best meet their individual needs both in the short and long-term. We continue to be open to partnerships and follow public processes such as expressions of interest and requests for proposals when allocating funds.