Preamble
Whereas: changes made to the Saskatchewan Assistance Program from 2019 to 2021 resulted in an increase in evictions and homelessness for many people receiving financial assistance;
Whereas: the current Income Support Program and Disability Income programs provide assistance significantly below that necessary to meet the real cost of living and are significantly below the poverty line, while support to those with disabilities has in fact declined in constant dollars over the past two decades;
Whereas: this increases the difficulty for those receiving social assistance to find and secure housing, and contributes to the rising homelessness issue across the province.
Direction
Be It Resolved That: the current Saskatchewan Income Support Program and the Saskatchewan Assured Income for the Disabled Program revert to the previous practice of funds being sent directly to landlords and utility companies along with the utility guarantee being re-instated.
Be It Further Resolved That: both income support programs increase at the annual rate of inflation at a minimum, and that the current rate increase immediately by 10 percent upon a SPP government taking office.
Be It Further Resolved That: a provincial advisory group be formed that includes representatives from front-line workers, community organizations that work with SIS recipients and the homeless, and SIS recipients themselves to review the current program, benefits, delivery, and needs to assist a new SPP government in reducing barriers, updating supports, and addressing gaps in services.