{"id":908928,"date":"2026-05-28T15:12:38","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T20:12:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/28\/moving-boldly-mayor-discusses-homelessness-deed-and-funding-at-state-of-the-city\/"},"modified":"2026-05-28T15:12:38","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T20:12:38","slug":"moving-boldly-mayor-discusses-homelessness-deed-and-funding-at-state-of-the-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/28\/moving-boldly-mayor-discusses-homelessness-deed-and-funding-at-state-of-the-city\/","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Moving boldly&#8217;: Mayor discusses homelessness, DEED and funding at State of the City"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div>\n<figure data-aqa=\"featured-image\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-2_303133643.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=lOGusxTs_GAapj9iXx_z_Q, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-2_303133643.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=hYiHHlDLEL2rfv0ZFIN4Ew 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-2_303133643.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;h=423&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=Vba7WILDQVq4Bz84boQ9Ow, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-2_303133643.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;h=846&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=SymtmmutpXMNfuFLOej2Bw 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-2_303133643.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=M5GoUoGCqgBi1qZNlkTSvw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-2_303133643.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=j6QxnSZkMwJ4Q8kzbr4xEA 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><source media=\"(min-width: 768px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-2_303133643.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;h=354&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=5CoLuVDEHJUMu8MhBM2WXw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-2_303133643.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;h=708&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=W-0bUt7uhvO1Z_MgWqnj4w 2x\" type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source media=\"(max-width: 767px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-2_303133643.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=yc5zYwVkRHymPc3HeJV3pg, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-2_303133643.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=R67q0NZEJannQE5WTmypgA 2x\" type=\"image\/webp\"><img alt=\"Mayor Cynthia Block speaking at the State of the City event.\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-2_303133643.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=IMvij0OPE4CnZWjhqWYXZg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-2_303133643.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;h=216&#038;sig=IMvij0OPE4CnZWjhqWYXZg,\n                    https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-2_303133643.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;h=432&#038;sig=dapIL58AAx9NxPJWJDQ6yw 2x\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\" height=\"900\" width=\"1200\"><\/picture><figcaption><span>Mayor Cynthia Block discussed homelessness, DEED and funding during the State of the City luncheon at TCU Place on May 14.<\/span> <span>Photo by Brody Langager<\/span> \/<span>Saskatoon StarPhoenix<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMoving boldly\u201d is the theme that Saskatoon\u2019s mayor brought to her State of the City event, as she fielded questions from businesses and media on a range of hot topics.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section data-aqa=\"identity-sign-in\" data-async id=\"article-block\">\n<header>\n<div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Star Phoenix\" height=\"37\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/21.3.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-ssp-new.svg\" width=\"280\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Saskatoon StarPhoenix ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Get exclusive access to the Saskatoon StarPhoenix ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.<\/li>\n<li>Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account.<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month.<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p>THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n<p>Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Access articles from across Canada with one account<\/li>\n<li>Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments<\/li>\n<li>Enjoy additional articles per month<\/li>\n<li>Get email updates from your favourite authors<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div data-auth-component id=\"auth-screen-form\" aria-live=\"assertive\">\n<h2>Sign In or Create an Account<\/h2>\n<p><span><\/span><span>or<\/span><span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s a rundown of some of the discussions.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><h2>Downtown Event and Entertainment District<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn the 1960s, this building (TCU Place), once the Centennial Auditorium, was the front page of the newspaper and everyone was screaming \u2018we don\u2019t want this\u2019,\u201d Cynthia Block told the crowd on Thursday.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Now, she said she couldn\u2019t imagine not having TCU Place in downtown Saskatoon.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<div aria-labelledby=\"SaskatoonStarPhoenixAfternoonHeadlines7774269668865088848573481304981504\" data-account-id=\"b9d3df2fccd108b5eff3c44f573b2cd6\" data-aqa=\"widget-newsletter\" data-newsletter=\"single\" data-newsletter-component data-target-list=\"SP_HeadlineNews\" data-widget=\"newsletter\">\n<p>By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>The same thing happened in the 1970s, when railroad tracks needed to be moved to make way for Midtown Plaza, Block noted.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople were super mad. Could you imagine not having that anchor in our downtown?\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>She said these kinds of public investments bring in tourism \u2014 and private investment follows.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Today\u2019s examples, Block said, include the Link Bus Rapid Transit system and the Downtown Event and Entertainment District.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<div>\n<p data-async>She alluded to the possibility of a partnership still being an option for the DEED, despite the <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"previous potential partnership being voted down by city council\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/thestarphoenix.com\/news\/local-news\/deed-private-partnership-dissolved-after-fight-for-city-run-model\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/thestarphoenix.com\/news\/local-news\/deed-private-partnership-dissolved-after-fight-for-city-run-model\" target=\"_blank\">previous potential partnership being voted down by city council<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>She stressed that while there isn\u2019t an announcement coming, she hopes there will be one in the future.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Block acknowledged that public pushback comes from caring, and fear loss, adding that she saw the DEED as a natural evolution of Saskatoon.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>She said it\u2019s not just a \u201cnice to have\u201d project: they are losing business due to less opportunities at the SaskTel Centre.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<div>\n<figure data-aqa=\"embed-image\"><picture><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-1_303133635.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=1UVZwHJ4BETFjieE6ziNPw, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-1_303133635.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=sdDXj-ncaTeeRPwarg5LWg 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-1_303133635.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=564&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=4uhkSIAJb0uPPSKThwpIMQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-1_303133635.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=1128&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=t8SX2RZvimi9fulUoJg0YQ 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 1200px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-1_303133635.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=oVlZZBRLosD9aDPCkueMxA, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-1_303133635.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=AvT88rI0YzuhCweQXeKEdA 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-1_303133635.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=472&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=NX4n4DED4nQFIW7wIGoDoQ, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-1_303133635.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=944&#038;type=jpg&#038;sig=6fK-B4kd_6AyzIfyqViuDg 2x\" media=\"(min-width: 768px)\"  type=\"image\/jpeg\"><source data-srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-1_303133635.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=uESStBnth2NCT1ISYQ1V8g, \nhttps:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-1_303133635.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;type=webp&#038;sig=1NezU6ZE1fqwCiZaqjNknQ 2x\" media=\"(max-width: 767px)\"  type=\"image\/webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Mayor Cynthia Block speaking at the State of the City event.\" src=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-1_303133635.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=s-kEfI9SkP3APPjW5vgq4w\" srcset=\"https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-1_303133635.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=288&#038;sig=s-kEfI9SkP3APPjW5vgq4w,\n                https:\/\/smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital\/thestarphoenix\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/block-1_303133635.jpg?quality=90&#038;strip=all&#038;w=576&#038;sig=_LcLk4l2nni1JuvIfo_n-w 2x\" height=\"900\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1200\"><\/picture><figcaption><span> Mayor Cynthia Block at the State of the City event on May 14.<\/span> <span>Photo by Brody Langager<\/span> \/<span>Saskatoon StarPhoenix<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><h2>Homelessness<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<div>\n<p data-async>Block said Saskatoon had 1,931 people facing homelessness that were counted in the last <a data-evt-val=\"{\"control_fields\": {\"mparticle\": {\"keys\": {\"click_source_type\": \"click_source_type\", \"anchor_text\": \"anchor_text\", \"target_url\": \"target_url\", \"layout_section\": \"layout_section\"}, \"mp_event_type\": \"Navigation\", \"extra_keys\": [\"click_vertical_position_percentage\", \"click_vertical_position_pixels\"]}}, \"click_source_type\": \"in-page link\", \"anchor_text\": \"point-in-time homelessness count.\", \"target_url\": \"https:\/\/thestarphoenix.com\/news\/local-news\/we-know-were-missing-people-a-deeper-dive-into-saskatoons-homelessness-count\", \"layout_section\": \"in-page-link\"}\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-evt=\"click\" data-evt-typ=\"click\" href=\"https:\/\/thestarphoenix.com\/news\/local-news\/we-know-were-missing-people-a-deeper-dive-into-saskatoons-homelessness-count\" target=\"_blank\">point-in-time homelessness count.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat\u2019s up 30 per cent from last year. That is not sustainable, it is unmanageable, and I don\u2019t think there\u2019s a single person in this room that hasn\u2019t been impacted by it and is frustrated.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Block said the only way Saskatoon is improving the state of homelessness is through interim housing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is no other way out \u2026 housing is the foundation to begin recovery in 99.99 per cent of cases.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>She said housing with wraparound services to support people facing homelessness can be really expensive, but the city is spending much more money doing what it is now to deal with homelessness.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p><h2>Funding cities<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>She said cities maintain about 60 per cent of the infrastructure in the country, but only get about eight per cent of the tax revenue.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>Many people are mad about their property assessment increasing, which causes their property taxes to increase, Block noted.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section>\n<p>Article content<\/p>\n<p>She said property taxes aren\u2019t the right tool, and the four-year assessment cycle can create \u201cenormous swings in assessment,\u201d creating risk for homes and businesses.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p> Brody Langager <br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/thestarphoenix.com\/news\/local-news\/moving-boldly-mayor-discusses-homelessness-deed-and-funding-at-state-of-the-city\" class=\"button purchase\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mayor Cynthia Block discussed homelessness, DEED and funding during the State of the City luncheon at TCU Place on May 14. Photo by Brody Langager \/Saskatoon StarPhoenix Article content \u201cMoving boldly\u201d is the theme that Saskatoon\u2019s mayor brought to her State of the City event, as she fielded questions from businesses and media on a<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":908929,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28442,23319],"tags":[13946,9041],"class_list":["post-908928","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-boldly","category-moving","tag-boldly","tag-moving"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/908928","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=908928"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/908928\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/908929"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=908928"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=908928"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=908928"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}