The government is aware of the issues at Valleyview Towers, the minister of Social Services has said, and is planning meetings.
Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation Paul Merriman was in North Battleford Tuesday for the public showing of the new rooming house located metres from Valleyview Towers.
Merriman said meetings are scheduled to take place with MLA Herb Cox, the Saskatchewan Housing Authority and tenants.
Merriman said he wants to find out the concerns of residents “and see if we can come up with a strategy to [alleviate] some of their concerns.”
What that strategy might be, Merriman didn’t say.
“I want to make sure I don’t pre-empt anything,” Merriman said, adding he hopes the strategy comes from within, and uses expertise from Regina and Saskatoon.
Merriman said he wants his officials to look into the matter and report to him within the next 10 days.
When asked if one tower might be dedicated to housing people on social services and another for seniors, Merriman said, “I don’t want to take anything off the table.”
The News-Optimist has received numerous reports that Valleyview Tower II has been plagued by drunkenness, disorderly conduct and drug use and of police being called to the scene. There have been concerns expressed that these highrises, originally built as “seniors” buildings, are being used to place so-called hard-to-house individuals who have created these issues.
In speaking to the News-Optimist, Cox has called it a “sad situation.”
“The whole situation is very, very disturbing to the tenants that are in that Valleyview Towers II.”
