A study on Saskatoon's homeless population proposes examining the concept of providing temporary shelter for people under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The report, by the Saskatoon Indian and Metis Friendship Centre, interviewed 44 people who were having trouble finding housing.

The report notes that agencies that offer temporary shelter do not admit anyone who is intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.

Kathie Pruden-Nansel, a support worker at the friendship centre, told CBC News that shelters could be more flexible.

"I just spoke to a lady in Toronto who runs a shelter for women, and they have a part of their shelter that they term a damp house," Pruden-Nansel said. "It's [for] people who use. You're not allowed to use in the shelter part but you can use, come back and have a safe place to stay."

People living on the streets agree that a so-called wet house would be worthwhile.

"What happens is, I get kicked out," Kim Pratt told CBC News. Pratt said he had a bed at the Salvation Army but when he failed a breathalyzer test, he was back on the streets.

"I've been sleeping under bridges. I've been sleeping in my bank. I've been sleeping all over," Pratt said. "I didn't have no blankets or no heat or anything like that. I've been looking for a nice abandoned shack or something like that. Just to crawl in and sleep."

Pratt said he has found a small space under some steps for his current shelter.

"I put cardboard on the bottom for myself to sleep, and plus I tried to put cardboard this way to keep the cold out. ... It didn't work."

People who run shelters in Saskatoon told CBC News that their rules on sobriety are important for a variety of reasons. In some cases, allowing people who are under the influence to mix with others battling an addiction would be counterproductive.

However, they admitted the problem needs to be addressed.

"There's been a lot of discussions," Jordon Cooper, from the Salvation Army, told CBC News. "I know Toronto and Edmonton do have damp shelters and they have worked well in those cases."

Cooper said there is a role for both dry and wet shelters.

"Our clientele are very diverse, and the more options that they're going to have, [the better]," he said, adding that different shelters could work together.

"Addictions are a problem for almost every homeless individual," the friendship centre report says. "Presently, agencies that work with the homeless maintain policies which do not allow substance use on the premises. What more could be done to address the basic addictions?"

The people interviewed about their circumstances offered a suggestion in that area, saying rooms in temporary shelters could be sectioned off for sober people and people with addictions.