(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Alessia Proietti

More information requested

City of Red Deer and province continue discussion about potential site for future shelter

Sep 29, 2022 | 5:09 PM

Following a meeting with provincial ministers in Calgary on Tuesday regarding Red Deer’s future shelter site, city council revealed Thursday they were requested to supply further information before disclosing the location to the public.

“We know our community has been patiently waiting for us to identify the potential future shelter site in our city; this is a big decision, and we must ensure that we are making the best decision possible for our community – and that we are making that decision in good faith and partnership with our provincial colleagues,” said Mayor Ken Johnston. “We are continuing to move forward with our provincial partners, and we want to have a decision for our community very soon.”

During a closed meeting Sept. 12, council selected a potential site for the future shelter and presented the site to the province as part of the site selection process. While initially planned for public disclosure at Monday’s meeting, the City stated further analysis was needed by the province.

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City to meet with province Tuesday regarding future shelter site

Following council’s meeting with the province Sept. 27, the City says they hoped to be in a position to release its recommended site Thursday. However, they stated further considerations pertaining to the recommended site are being jointly explored with the province to ensure its suitability prior to public disclosure.

“Selecting the right site for Red Deer requires pragmatic innovation that meets our joint vision for an integrated shelter in our community, and we will continue to work alongside the province, social support agencies and citizens throughout the entire process to re-envision the future shelter as a place that provides the support our vulnerable population requires on their journey to being housed,” said Johnston.

The mayor confirmed that the information requested by the province would be given in full by the City on Monday. He also expects to have an in-person meeting with Premier Jason Kenney and other ministers this Saturday in Red Deer.

The narrowing of potential sites comes on the heels of an extensive site selection process that initially included 96 sites. The selection process also involved intensive public participation with more than 820 participants engaging with the City about the project. These participants included residents, businesses, social agencies, and people with lived or living experience of homelessness.

“The questions and information are more of that technical nature than the ‘why,’” said City Manager Tara Lodewyk. She continued that the pieces of information requested are to provide a better understanding of what a development would look like on a particular site such as servicing, access, zoning processes and future steps.

Officials state a future shelter site continues to be a priority for the Province of Alberta and the City.

“I am proud to be working closely with the City of Red Deer to ensure that we are aligned on a shelter model and location that is best for Red Deer. We will continue to work closely together in collaboration to improve the support we offer homeless people in Red Deer and make the community safer as a whole,” said Jason Luan, Minister of Community and Social Services.

Mayor Johnston says he feels gratitude and appreciation for the province’s commitment and for the community’s patience.

“It has been a tiring process. It has been a long process and we feel that fatigue. But I’ve said to council and I say to the community, have courage, have patience, have perseverance. We are moving forward,” he said.

“Alberta’s government remains committed to providing $7 million in capital funding to support the Red Deer integrated emergency shelter. We will continue to plan and work with community partners and the city to address the need for a larger, more functional space to meet demand. Our shared objective is to ensure Red Deer residents in need have access to a safe, accessible overnight shelter,” said Josephine Pon, Minister of Seniors and Housing.

As more information is publicly available, the City says it will be shared through their website at www.reddeer.ca/shelter.