REGINA — A stalled affordable housing project in Regina could soon have a new owner.
On Wednesday, Regina’s executive committee unanimously approved the city possibly transferring ownership of The Orange Buffalo Lodge to YWCA Regina. A final approval of the process is required at next week’s council meeting.
In a draft proposal, YWCA Regina intends to turn the lodge into a hybrid model.
“This combines supportive housing with Indigenous-led family reunification, meeting the complex needs of women and families transitioning from institutional systems or working to regain stability. Access to both streams runs through a coordinated referral process with the Ministry of Social Services and community partners.”
The lodge, which began construction in 2023 as a 30-unit affordable housing project, saw development come to a halt in 2024 after provincial funding was exhausted.
The project had been under North Central Family Centre, which intended to build a $4 million community hub in the space. The city provided $3 million in 2025 through the Housing Accelerator Fund to finish construction and took over ownership in 2026.
Under YWCA Regina’s plan, most of the 30 affordable units (17) will serve Indigenous people.
“Roughly 90 per cent of individuals in our housing programs identify as Indigenous,” noted YWCA Regina.
The remaining 13 units will be allocated to 10 young adults and three seniors.
Fifteen units will be reserved on a priority basis for women and their children.
During her delegation, YWCA Regina CEO Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen said there are currently 4,000 women and children on a waitlist for housing.
As part of its plans, YWCA Regina also intends to transform the lodge's lower level into a community hub.
The organization plans to create a social-enterprise laundromat serving North Central residents through a partnership with Propel Impact and Street Culture Project. The initiative will provide employment opportunities for people living at the lodge.
A commercial kitchen and catering enterprise will also be developed in partnership with Street Culture Project, creating food-service employment opportunities for women and youth while providing a pathway toward Red Seal culinary certification.
The lodge will also include a community family space that reflects the North Central Family Centre’s long-standing vision of creating a gathering place for North Central families.
Providing full services will require additional external funding from the Ministry of Social Services and the Ministry of Justice.
Coomber-Bendtsen said she is “confident” that funding will be secured, but added that YWCA Regina has a backup plan in place if needed.
“We would just run these as supporting housing units and be able to minimize our staffing needs should we have to. They would still be affordable; they would still be affordable housing.”
The city could also contribute to help launch the community hub if savings from the $3 million investment into the lodge are found, said Deborah Bryden, deputy city manager of city planning and community development.
“Should efficiency be found during the completion of the housing units, administration is seeking authorization to put any remaining funds committed to the project’s development to the YWCA to support the completion of the main floor community hub."
Transfer details
If approved next week, YWCA Regina would operate the space for 20 years. These are terms required under the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation. Both parties helped originally pay for the lodge, obligating the city to ensure it remains operational for two decades.
YWCA Regina will handle all maintenance and operational responsibilities.
If terms aren’t met, the city can repurchase the property for $1.
In their guideline, YWCA Regina would assume ownership of the space on Sept. 1. Eligible renters would then move in within 30 days.
