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By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

protecting the vulnerable

Adequate shelter space available in Red Deer ahead of winter

Sep 18, 2020 | 2:25 PM

For the first time in many years, there is little concern for the amount of shelter space in Red Deer ahead of the cold weather months.

In March, the provincial government announced $25 million for extra shelter space across Alberta as part of its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That increased Safe Harbour Society’s offering from a pair of trailers to a much larger building with room for 80 that can be expanded to offer space for an additional 80, if the need arises.

“We’ve got the extra space which the Cannery Row location allows for, and we are anticipating to be able to meet demand, which is really great to be able to say,” says Kath Hoffman, Safe Harbour’s executive director.

“Everybody that’s worked at Safe Harbour has had to turn people away in the past, even in inclement weather, and that’s an issue we’ve faced for a long time.”

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Hoffman calls it a heavy burden to bear, adding that the ability to welcome everyone is a huge relief for herself and her team.

Most importantly, users of the shelter are able to maintain safe distances from each other, both during the day and while sleeping.

“Right now, because it’s still warm, we are running between 50 to 60 people overnight, and between 100 to 120 during the day,” Hoffman shares. “When we see a surge, we’ve got the space to handle it.”

Funding for the current building is currently set to expire at the end of March 2021.

Part of the province’s commitment was funding for an overflow shelter in Riverside Meadows, operated by The Mustard Seed. That facility, which offered 23 mats, has now closed after funding ran out. The Mustard Seed is able to welcome as many as 46 people overnight at its main building for the foreseeable future.

To date, there is no known transmission of COVID-19 within any of Red Deer’s shelter spaces.

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