‘People want that freedom’: Questions raised over shelter uptake after University Bridge fire

WATCH: Saskatoon's emergency shelters aren't seeing a spike in numbers, despite the ongoing cold snap.

The fire under Saskatoon’s University Bridge, which began in a homeless encampment under the structure, is raising questions about why people are forced to seek shelter there.

The Sunday night fire was eventually extinguished by fire crews, who battled the extreme cold. However, the heat from the blaze melted a sanitary sewer line underneath the bridge – leading to road closures.

At the newest overnight warming shelter at The Indian and Métis Friendship Centre, where women can stay the night, staff have been keeping people safe with up to 75 women a night at the Wall Street location.

Michelle King, the shelter’s executive director, says attendance numbers haven’t gone up so far this winter – even on the city’s coldest days.

“What we’ve heard from our community partners that in the most frigid days, a lot of our relatives have found somewhere to stay with family or friends, for their own safety, which is really incredible to me,” King told CTV News.

“It helps me sleep better at night.”

When an incident like the University Bridge fire happens due to homeless individuals looking for shelter and warmth, it begs the question of why people are choosing to stay outside and not visit an overnight space.

It’s something those working to keep shelters open have heard about from unhoused people.

“People want that freedom to come and go as they please and so sometimes people will come here to eat a meal, to warm up, to use the bathroom, get some clean clothes, change of clothes, and they’ll go back to an encampment because they feel like there they have more liberties,” King explained.

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That’s what Gordon Taylor, executive director of the Salvation Army Crossroads – which operates the men’s shelter at St. Mary’s Church, is also hearing.

“Some people just prefer to have that independence for sure,” he said.

Taylor added that there aren’t that many rules to enter the 20th Street warm up space.

“Really, the only rules we have as far as staying in the overnight warming center is don’t be a threat to yourself or others,” he said.

This is the second winter for the St. Mary’s site while The Indian and Métis Friendship Centre is working through its first year.

So far, it’s going well, but King wants the provincial government to do more to address the issue.

An issue, she says, is their responsibility.

“Everything that we’re doing this year has been a hodgepodge of private funders and donors. A little bit here, a little bit. They’re trying to piece together a plan,” she said.

The delayed opening of the Pacific Avenue shelter – a temporary shelter that was supposed to open for the winter, but has been pushed to March, will be welcomed.

“Anytime we can add more beds to the overall pool for shelter, alternatives, that’s a good thing,” Taylor added.

“So, we’re looking forward to when that new, new one opens.”