To: The City Council of Saskatoon

We, the undersigned residents and business owners of Saskatoon, strongly oppose the proposed temporary Emergency Residential Shelter at 210 Pacific Avenue for the following reasons:

1. Immediate Negative Impact on Property Values and Economic Activity
   The placement of a temporary emergency shelter in this location is likely to discourage new investments, reduce property values, and harm local businesses. Instead of fostering economic growth, this move threatens to create long-term economic stagnation in the neighborhood.
2. Proximity to Vulnerable Community Spaces
   The shelter will be in close proximity to key downtown residential areas, restaurants, cafes, a daycare, private schools, a dance studio, and family-focused businesses. The increased presence of transient individuals, some of whom may struggle with substance use or mental health issues, poses significant safety risks to children, families, and the broader community.
3. Shelters as a Temporary Fix, Not a Sustainable Solution
   Research has shown that emergency shelters often perpetuate a cycle of homelessness, creating a reliance on temporary housing rather than addressing the root causes of the issue. This shelter risks fostering long-term marginalization and dependence without providing sustainable solutions.
4. Erosion of Community Safety and Stability
   This neighborhood has thrived due to its balanced mix of residential, commercial, and family-centered spaces. The introduction of a shelter in such close proximity to these establishments will threaten the area’s safety and stability, discouraging families and businesses from remaining or investing in the future.

We fully support initiatives to help vulnerable populations, but we believe there are more suitable locations for a shelter that can provide the necessary services and support without negatively affecting a vibrant, growing community. We urge the City Council to explore alternative sites.

We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the City Council reject the proposed location of 210 Pacific Avenue as a temporary Emergency Residential Shelter.