Neighbourhoods in Regina, Saskatchewan
 | The article's lead section may need to be rewritten. (March 2007) |
North Central
Neighbourhoods of the North-Central part of the city have been the subject of controversy and concern over the years due to the high concentration of poverty, prostitution, and rundown rental housing. It is estimated that there are more IV drug users in North-Central per capita than in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.[1] Although crime rates in the area remain relatively high, they have fallen in recent years due to efforts by the Regina Police Service and several agencies, including a stolen vehicle program, an anti-drug strategy, and an increase in the number of police officers in the area.
In recent years the local government's commitment to invest in the inner-city has been questioned in view of its attempts to close inner-city library branches and a proposal to implement a base tax which would have lowered property taxes in outlying areas, where average household income for all residents is more than triple that of all residents in the inner city[2] — but would have increased taxes for inner-city properties. Positive efforts to engage the social problems in North-Central include the Inner City Family Foundation, community association programs and a rental property inspection team provided via a volunteer organization. The City of Regina has legal authority to create a rental licensing program and an inspection team, but has not yet implemented either of these solutions. At the beginning of 2007, City Council increased funding for six inner-city community associations by $19,000, but disbursed the total $369,000 to an additional 18 associations.[3][4] A change in funding structure will result in the three low income neighbourhoods of Cathedral Area, Al Ritchie and Argyle Park having funding reduced by $40,000 collectively and North Central having funding increased by $15,000.[5] The $494,000 necessary to reach this target have not been fully provided.
A recent article in Maclean's[6] has helped prompt the city government to look at new ways of providing better housing to residents.[citation needed] The mayor has met with First Nations chiefs to create a dialogue, the first time during his tenure in office (6 years). Also, It has spurred renewed discussion of establishing Regina's first urban reserve with in the city, in association with the Piapot Cree Nation. Several years ago, the City of Regina negotiated a servicing agreement with the Nekaneet First Nation to establish an urban reserve in the northeast Industrial Area. The reserve has not yet been approved by the federal government.[7]
Notes
- ^ Gatehouse, Jonathon (2007-01-08). "Canada's worst neighbourhood". Maclean's. Retrieved 2007-01-31.
- ^ "Arcola East - South: 2001 Neighbourhood Profile" (PDF). City of Regina. April 2004. Retrieved 2007-02-02.
- ^ Elliott, Trish (2007-01-30). "Council votes against inner city funds". ActUpInSask.org. Retrieved 2007-01-31.
- ^ Murray, Aaron (2007-01-07). "Neighbourhood funding slashed". ActUpInSask.org. Retrieved 2007-02-01.
- ^ "Community Association and Zone Board Community Investment Funding Review" (PDF) (Press release). City of Lethbridge. 2006-12-13. Retrieved 2007-02-02.
- ^ Gatehouse, op. cit.
- ^ Scott, Neil (2007-01-23). "City paves way for urban reserve". Regina Leader-Post. Retrieved 2007-02-07.