Local organizations in Yorkton worked with members of the public invited the public to gather information on homelessness in the city through a point-in-time count. The event - a free community barbecue at the library - was organized ahead of the upcoming World Homeless Day Oct. 10. The goal was to better understand the number of people experiencing homelessness in Yorkton, in order to provide better services. Martha Gares says this year’s initiative follows a similar effort conducted two years ago. “The first [count] took place just two years ago, and this is the first follow up that we’ve done,” said Gares, the housing support program manager with SIGN. “This year it’s just the count, whereas the last time it was done, it was a point-in-time count with a formal survey as well.” Gares says a full-length survey would be hard to implement with her organization’s current capacity. “Métis Nation Saskatchewan, the entity managing funding from the Government of Canada, have just made about nine survey questions that they’d like answered this year,” Gares explained. Although there were some people known to be experiencing homelessness that did not show up to Monday’s event, experts still expect numbers to increase. Gares said some trends are already concerning, including an increase in homelessness among seniors. “I do want to say there is also a growing number of seniors who are homeless. Again, they worked their whole lives and they’re just struggling because maybe they don’t have a private pension plan.” Canada’s Old Age Security program currently provides a maximum payment of up to $762.50 for applicants ages 65 to 74, and up to $838.75 for Canadians 75 and over. According to 2025 data by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the median rent in Yorkton was around $1,200 per month. As the cost of living continues to rise, many residents rely on low-income housing programs to avoid homelessness. Available housing options remain limited, with Yorkton’s mayor saying the demand for affordable housing far exceeds supply. “Between Yorkton Housing Corp and also the Saskatchewan Housing Authority, there’s over 400 [units] that are on a waitlist,” Mayor Aaron Kienle said, adding the city currently has roughly 150 units. Kienle adds Yorkton has a committee to assess the situation and push for change. “The committee brings together people from Saskatchewan Health Authority, Fire Protective Services, and from the city to basically talk about what we’re seeing and what the needs are, and then individually take that information to their organizations, and also to just have a better understanding of the work ahead of us.” He admitted it’s not directly solving the issue of homelessness in Yorkton, but he believes advocacy will improve the situation of those experiencing extreme hardship. “For a person like myself, it means talking to [Minister of Social Services and Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation] Terry Jenson with the provincial government and bringing findings to them.” Additionally, Yorkton lacks harm reduction services to address an overlapping addictions epidemic. Yorkton’s Saskatchewan Party MLA David Chan identified homelessness as one of the challenges faced by members of his constituency during a legislative session last October. CTV News reached out to Chan to see how he views the situation in his riding today, but has not received a response. For residents looking to help, SIGN says there are practical ways to support people experiencing homelessness. Gares said the organization provides resource guides that members of the public can keep on hand and share with individuals who may need assistance. Jordan Catton, a community paramedic with Medavie who was in attendance on Monday, said compassion and understanding can also go a long way, and community members should avoid judgement. “Try to be supportive and try to be understanding, because these people are dealing with enough in their life, and they don’t need anybody piling on with anything negative,” he said. Organizers for the barbecue also distributed hampers to participants, including 24 backpacks containing personal hygiene items, and 45 bags for low-income individuals filled with detergent and other household essentials. Organizers say the strong turnout highlights the ongoing need for homelessness and housing support services in Yorkton.
