By rdnewsNOW staff

talks at monday's council meeting

Council to discuss next step in permanent shelter saga

May 11, 2024 | 12:39 PM

The saga of Red Deer trying to find a home for a multi-million dollar permanent shelter announced by the previous NDP government five years ago is about to take its latest turn.

This Monday, city council will consider making a formal request for a provincial Expression of Interest (EOI).

This comes as the City has decided to cease the site selection process until more information is available from the Government of Alberta related to vision and operator.

The decision to cease the search occurred in an open council meeting on March 18, 2024.

Mayor Ken Johnston has since been meeting with the province to talk about how to proceed with the development of a shelter, and potentially issuing an EOI.

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An EOI, the City explains, would help gauge interest related to potential shelter operators in Red Deer, and ensure understanding about options for operators and models in advance of any further site considerations by city council.

“We have heard from citizens, that it is difficult to support the location of a future shelter in Red Deer without understanding what it will be. Our community wants to understand what services a future shelter may provide and how it will fit with our community,” said Mayor Johnston on May 10.

“We have been looking for a different way through this process, and issuing and EOI may help city council and our community better understand what options exist related to operators and operating models. We want to understand the vision the Government of Alberta has for a future shelter in our city.”

Johnston met in April with Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon, Minister of Health and local MLA Adriana LaGrange, local MLA Jason Stephan, and Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Dan Williams.

The City says that because the Government of Alberta is responsible for the provision of shelter, it would be a provincial EOI.

Red Deer city council and administration continue to express their intention to remain committed to the project as outlined in the current MOU between the City and the province, the City says.

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