Red Deer Homeless Foundation unveils Project Nexus

On Monday, the Foundation announced its plans for Project Nexus, which they say is community-led, bringing together housing, health, recovery and social supports under one roof in a way that reduces barriers and delivers better outcomes for everyone.

“Project Nexus is a vision of the Red Deer Homelessness Foundation to create a unified campus where emergency shelter, health and mental health care, recovery-focused supports, housing intake and navigation, Indigenous-led and culturally informed services, employment and life-skills supports, will be available,” as stated in the announcement the Foundation emailed to members.

“In addition, access to basic needs like food, showers, laundry, and secure storage. By bringing these services together, we can reduce barriers, prevent crisis and provide clearer pathways to stable housing. This means safer neighbourhoods, a stronger downtown and better outcomes for all.”

The foundation explained that the project follows a similar social service model where government funds services, the community owns the asset, and philanthropy helps make it possible, such as the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre, Red Deer Hospice Society, Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre, and Red Deer Polytechnic.

The Red Deer Homeless Foundation added that supports such as shelter, health care, mental health services, food assistance and housing are typically separated by long corridors created by waiting, transportation barriers, paperwork, geographic distance and coordination gaps.

“These corridors consume time and energy, keeping people moving between services instead of moving toward housing. It is also within these corridors (not at the service locations themselves) where frustration can escalate and where law enforcement is most often called to respond,” they stated. “A single, integrated campus will reduce delay and confusion, help people access the right supports faster, get people housed sooner, ease pressure on emergency services and create better outcomes for the entire community.”

Project Nexus will be located at the property located at 7740 Avenue, which features a 200,000 sq. ft. facility adaptable to the needs of multiple agencies.

“By repurposing an existing structure, the project avoids the cost of new construction and delivers exceptional value for money. While renovations will be required to meet trauma-informed and residential codes, these investments are oﬀset by substantial long-term savings and operational eﬀiciencies,” they stated.

A group of local philanthropists has stepped forward to secure an option to purchase the site, and if finalized, would be owned and operated by the Red Deer Homeless Foundation.

On Feb. 3, city council will consider the application at first reading and if approved, a public hearing would follow.

“Our objective is to secure zoning approval by February 27, allowing us to move confidently into detailed planning while continuing to engage community stakeholders throughout the process,” they added.

Questions, comments, ideas and feedback from the community can be shared at any time by emailing nexus@homelessnessreddeer.com.

by Ian Gustafson

Red Deer Homeless Foundation unveils Project Nexus

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