12-month extension proposed for Red Deer’s temporary homeless shelter

Apr 28, 2021 | 9:43 PM

*NOTE: On Thursday, April 29, city council approved first reading, and a public hearing date of May 25, not May 13 as administration had initially proposed.

Red Deer city council is being asked to give up to a year for a new location to be found for the city’s temporary homeless shelter.

At a special meeting Thursday afternoon, council will consider first reading of a City Administration recommendation to extend the zoning for the current shelter in the former Cannery Row building at 5246 53 Avenue for another 12 months in order to give Safe Harbour sufficient time to relocate.

On March 29, council approved a rezoning for the continuation of the temporary shelter site at its current location through May 31.

On April 7, council confirmed their desire for a temporary shelter to continue operating in Red Deer until the provincial government follows through on its commitment to a $7 million permanent facility. Council also asked City Administration to report within no later than four weeks on potential relocation options for the temporary shelter.

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“It is clear that under the current conditions, there is an insufficient timeframe to achieve the desired outcomes,” City Administration says in its report to council.

“While the site options are being gathered and assessed, the disparity between the 60-day timeline provided by Council on March 29 and the process timeline for executing a relocation is weighing heavily on Administration.”

Should council pass first reading of the year-long zoning extension, a public hearing would be scheduled for May 13.

Thursday’s council begins at 1 p.m. with an in-camera session. The open portion of the meeting is scheduled to begin at about 3 p.m.

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by Troy Gillard

12-month extension proposed for Red Deer’s temporary homeless shelter

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