Mats at the Cannery Row shelter, operated by Safe Harbour Society. (Supplied)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

coming to a head

City admin: Current location is best for interim shelter

May 22, 2021 | 10:28 AM

A big decision lies ahead for Red Deer city council this Tuesday, which is when a public hearing will be held to decide the immediate fate of temporary shelter services.

Following the public hearing, council will receive an update on the site selection process for the interim shelter and several other recommendations surrounding the current location at Cannery Row in Railyards.

That location was established through government order at the onset of the pandemic as a safe and healthy location for the community’s vulnerable population. It’s permit there was to end March 31, 2021 meaning Safe Harbour (the operator) would’ve needed to pack its bags.

After council approved a two month extension at the site in late March, administration was directed to compile a list of alternate sites to relocate the interim shelter. Council then gave first reading to a one-year extension on April 29.

Administration says it’s determined the current location is the most viable option.

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“Our team went through a rigorous process of locating potential sites and determining whether each would be an option based on a list of criteria and site availability,” said Tricia Hercina, Acting General Manager of Community Services. “We looked at every possible location in the community including developable land, warehouses and hotels, considered both lease and purchasing options for a short term option until the permanent site is established. As it stands, there wasn’t any other site that makes financial or social sense at this point in time.”

Once the site update is given, council will consider second and third reading on the extension to allow the shelter to remain where it is. A potential extension would permit operation at Cannery Row until May 31, 2022.

Council will also consider three strategies to address mitigating issues in Railyards, including crime, safety and neighbourhood cleanliness.

“We are recommending enhanced measures by The City, such as increased business and resident engagement, security, cleaning and new programs to increase feelings of safety,” said Hercina. “Many of the measures being recommended will be possible through current City staffing; however, there would be additional costs associated with implementing any of the three options put in front of council.”

Meantime, Red Deer-South MLA Jason Stephan says he and Red Deer-North MLA Adriana LaGrange, have asked council to provide specific recommendations on potential locations and service providers for a permanent integrated shelter.

“Properly implemented, an integrated shelter service is a great opportunity, to make an imperative course correction, better serving our homeless adult population, while repairing a torn social fabric and distrust in our community; improperly implemented, this shelter will entrench an unacceptable status quo and exacerbate growing frustration in our community,” Stephan writes.

“It is much better for elected leaders in our community to have input in decisions with significant impacts to our community then unelected bureaucrats outside of our community. Minister LaGrange and I are excited to work with our elected municipal leaders and friends!”

The NDP first announced $7 million for a 120-bed permanent shelter in March 2019, with initial hopes it could be constructed by end of 2020. In February 2020, the UCP reaffirmed $7 million for a similar project but with 160 beds.

The public hearing on Tuesday begins at 4 p.m. To participate, residents can dial into a phone conference at 1-833-714-0895 and entering 422996496. More information on the public hearing process is at reddeer.ca/publichearing. To listen or view the public hearing, call into the phone conference or watch at https://meeting.reddeer.ca.

A subsequent meeting about shelter services is scheduled for Wednesday, May 26.

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