The Saskatchewan Ministry of Social Services is encouraging landlords to work with tenants to determine low-contact ways of meeting their rental obligations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two organizations called on the ministry to change its policy and begin direct payment of rent and utilities to landlords and utility companies on behalf of its income assistance clients as a means of reducing transmission.
Quint Development Corporation and the Saskatoon Landlord Association said recipients of social assistance rely on buses or taxis to get to these various locations, further increasing the risk of transmission. “If we assume rent and utility payments result in four potential interactions (bank, landlord, utility and bus) then this would