Shelter extension gets first reading to stay put in Railyards

The matter returned following significant public feedback and because City administration expressed to council that the feat of finding Safe Harbour a new location by June would be a virtual impossibility.

Even under the best circumstances, admin pegged November as the earliest there could be something ready.

A chart from Red Deer City administration shows a timeline, under best circumstances and with no delays, for staff to be able to find and retrofit a new shelter site. (City of Red Deer)

Council also heard there are currently around 50 sites being explored, and not a single one close to move-in ready for the purposes Safe Harbour needs it.

Councillor Ken Johnston remarked that in his several years on council, he’s never seen administration say there’s no way to accomplish what council had asked for.

“[That] is sobering information from a team of dedicated administrative staff, and it’s a stark reminder that the reactions we get which say simply to ‘Close it and move on,’ just can’t and don’t work,” Johnston said.

“These are people we are speaking of. We are talking about intense poverty, intense addictions and intense trauma. This is not a baseball team we can put on a bus and move to another location. This is a population now further burdened with the risk of a highly transmittable fatal disease (COVID).”

The Safe Harbour shelter in question is currently working through a COVID-19 outbreak which earlier this week still had 20+ active cases.

“I’ve been troubled that we’ve been using the word temporary. [Should] temporary mean a year or two years?” said Councillor Dianne Wyntjes of the many flipped calendars since Red Deer first had a temporary shelter.

Mayor Tara Veer says the province is ‘acutely aware’ of Red Deer’s urgent need for a permanent shelter, and the stress not having one has put on the municipality and citizens.

The province has $7 million earmarked for such a facility, but council has heard in recent weeks it’ll be another two to three years before doors open.

“I thank the agencies, the staff, and citizens who wrote letters to remind us about the importance of heart and compassion,” added Wyntjes, who stood down despite considering an amendment to shorten the extension to Dec. 31, 2021 instead of May 31, 2022. Council members can still do so after the public hearing.

“I care for my city, but I also care for the vision of what we’re thinking about. I read the many letters of concern we’ve received since the March 29 meeting about the risk for gaps in service … I’m open to the conversation, but again, this is not an easy decision.”

Administration outlined that should council opt not to move forward with an extension, it could have far-reaching effects on the greater community. Impacts may include:

-Increase in urban encampments, loitering, temporary squatting, debris & litter

-Reliance on public and private facilities for washrooms, showers and other basic needs

-Inability to identify COVID-19 symptomatic individuals and encourage isolation through designated facilities

-Decreased ability for housing intakes and referrals to supports/services

-Nowhere for individuals experiencing street violence to go

-Increased demand on critical RCMP and EMS services

-Social Diversion team would lose its most commonly utilized referral site

-OPS will continue to operate in Railyards, and individuals requiring this support may choose to stay close to this resource.

-On-site nurses will not be able to assist with basic medical provision and assessment. This may result in an increase to the PCN street clinic, EMS, and hospital.

-Mustard Seed (if reopened to public service by this time) may see an increase in traffic, including individuals who are intoxicated, looking for a place to go.

The admin report states one or more of the above may result in the need for a State of Local Emergency. City Manager Allan Seabrooke clarified post-meeting that any State of Local Emergency would be declared because of COVID-related reasons, not because of the clientele that uses Safe Harbour.

Seabrooke noted issuing a new State of Local Emergency is on The City’s radar given the still-rising record number of active COVID-19 cases in the city.

If an extension is granted, administration says it will step up efforts to mitigate concerns of neighbouring businesses. To date, that’s been done by agencies outside the City’s workforce. The building owner also indicates they’re willing to make improvements to the building in order to mitigate impacts on those in the surrounding area.

“We want to make sure that when a decision is made about where to move the interim shelter, we have all the necessary information so we are making not only an informed decision, but also the right one for the community and all involved and affected,” said Mayor Tara Veer. “Council will deliberate the amendment following a public hearing. As always, we look forward to hearing what the public has to say on the matter.”

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by Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Shelter extension gets first reading to stay put in Railyards

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