(file photo/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

In the chambers

City looks at Haven-4-Eight Rooming House financial challenges

Apr 16, 2020 | 4:29 PM

The City of North Battleford is looking into financial challenges related to the Haven-4-Eight Rooming House project.

The Battlefords Indian and Métis Friendship Centre that runs the facility is concerned about the high cost of property tax and the property tax rate.

Liana Clinton, writing on behalf of Friendship Centre, submitted a letter to the city giving an update on the project, that was discussed at this week’s council meeting.

Clinton is the former coordinator of the Battlefords Affordable Housing and Homelessness Committee.

The letter stated since last year, the Haven-4-Eight property and the empty property next to it have been charged commercial property taxes instead of residential property taxes.

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“Commercial property taxes are our main concern and this issue, if not resolved soon, will result in the catastrophic failure and closure of Haven-4-Eight,” she stated.

The letter said the commercial taxes are much higher than what was budgeted for the facility, which was based on residential property taxes applied to similar Saskatchewan Housing Corporation residences. The Friendship Centre doesn’t make any profit from the facility as rent is collected at a reduced rate and is used for operating costs and to provide meals for the tenants.

The supported rooming house located at 1132 98th Street in North Battleford which opened last year is currently at full capacity, housing eight individuals, and has a long waiting list, according to the letter. The individuals must be homeless to qualify for the program. Clinton said “there is no shortage of those individuals in North Battleford who would benefit greatly from this type of supported housing.”

The facility includes a 24-hour supervisory monitor. The aim of the project is to help the most vulnerable, in an effort to break the homelessness cycle.

Clinton’s letter said funding is an ongoing challenge. The Battlefords Indian and Métis Friendship Centre must annually apply for funding to continue the programming. She said securing funding for on-site staff has been challenging, adding that Friendship Centre staff are “still spending much of their time monitoring the residence themselves, and ensuring the safety of the tenants and the building.”

Coun. Len Taylor said he was concerned that commercial tax rates were being charged on the property even though it is a non-profit operation and wondered what options are available. He also asked if tax for the empty lot next to the property can possibly be forgiven.

City finance director Steve Brown suggested the Friendship Centre could attempt to appeal the property assessment with the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency.

Administration will provide a report on the issue at council’s next meeting, with some options so council can address the non profit’s concerns.

Mayor Ryan Bater said the matter “warrants a discussion.”

“This isn’t black and white, but we have to do our due diligence and consider it all,” he said of the issue. “That’s why we are asking administration to come back to council with a report on all the implications.”

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow