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Regina

‘Things we can do’: Regina residents gather at city hall wanting answers to address homelessness crisis

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WATCH: Residents gathered at Regina's city hall Thursday calling for all levels of government to address homelessness. Mick Favel reports.

Dozens of citizens gathered in front of Regina City Hall to voice their concerns on the homelessness situation in the city, hoping to grab the attention of all levels of government.

Florence Stratton was an organizer of the gathering and said a lack of affordable housing and stagnant incomes has played a major part in the growing homelessness population.

“There are things we can do in this city, the province needs to act and the federal government need to take action too,” Stratton said.

Jason Pequachan shared his story at the event. He and his family lived in the Glen Elm Mobile Home Community before being evicted.

They are now living in hotel and wondering where their next move will be.

It’s hard to get a home because of the prices, it’s very hard on our family. I wish the Canadian government would intervene,” Pequachan said.

Alejandra Cabrera also shared her story at the gathering. The rising cost of rent and unchanging wages forced her to move in with her mother. It’s a move she never thought would happen.

“Housing is contingent on what we do and who we are. It shouldn’t matter,” Cabrera said. “It should just be a basic thing that’s covered. It blows my mind that that concept is now a radical idea.”

Another eviction deadline is approaching the Glen Elm Mobile Community. An information session is planned for Thursday evening.

David Froh, the deputy mayor of Regina was also at the gathering and said the city will be at the Glen Elm meeting.

“We have a moral obligation to the Glen Elm residents regardless of what happens with the situation to not ignore it and not forget it, and to do something about it as well look at how we address the unhouse crisis in our city,” Froh said.