(Supplied)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

CITY COUNCIL

Options for new shelter site expected within four weeks

Apr 8, 2021 | 3:12 PM

Red Deer’s looming emergency shelter and housing situation was the focus of a special meeting of city council yesterday.

On March 29, Council voted to allow the current temporary shelter at the former Cannery Row building to continue operating through May 31 after its permit was set to expire at the end of March.

New interim site locations suggestions are expected back before council within four weeks, though several questions need answering.

They include whether council supports the continuation of additional emergency housing spaces, what kind of services a temporary location should provide, what role the City should take in supporting the community to achieve this, and which potential locations would council consider allowing it to be located?

Additional questions included if the City would be willing to direct resources to achieve the above mentioned outcomes, and if administration should consider mitigation strategies for June 1 if no further solution is implemented.

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City officials say Red Deer continues to be significantly underserved in the area of emergency housing, despite many years of efforts for short, medium and long-term strategies.

“We have a responsibility to look after our most vulnerable citizens in a responsible manner, with the interests of the wider community in mind as well. Without a permanent integrated homeless shelter in place, infrastructure we have been advocating the Province for years to complete, it is no surprise that the public is frustrated, the service providers are frustrated and the vulnerable themselves are frustrated,” says Mayor Tara Veer.

“There are significant consequences in the community for having temporary and insufficient solutions to very complex social challenges, but I am hopeful the preliminary direction council gave (Wednesday) will help will bridge the gap for vulnerable citizens, the service providers, and our business community and community in general until a more permanent solution can be put into place.”

When the matter returns to council, there may be other recommendations.

“Although we are proceeding with exploration of potential new interim sites, we will most likely need council to approve an extension of the Cannery Row site until the new location is up and running,” explains City Manager Allan Seabrooke. “When we come back in four weeks, we will bring timing, costs and procedural requirements to make the move to a new site.”

Provincial funding is place for the Cannery Row site until March 31, 2022 despite its special exemption from the province to be located there expiring March 31, 2021.

“During discussions, council was made aware of the funding agreement in place, and recognizes there could be financial requirements from The City to move and operate the interim shelter in its new location,” said Seabrooke. “We will gather as much information as possible to allow council to make an informed decision, including potential operating and capital costs, which will require council approval. City council’s resolutions tonight aim to balance the needs of Red Deer’s vulnerable population, surrounding properties and the community as a whole. However, despite our best efforts, Safe Harbour and the Province of Alberta may still select their own site, as long as it is zoned for public service.”

Any interim shelter is expected to serve the city’s vulnerable population until a new $7 million permanent shelter can be built. The province recommitted funding for said project in its 2020 Capital Plan, a year after the previous NDP government had done the same thing.

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