Map of the proposed location for a purpose-built integrated emergency shelter in Red Deer. (City of Red Deer)

By rdnewsNOW Staff

4934 54 Avenue

Potential location selected for permanent emergency shelter

Jan 13, 2022 | 8:30 PM

A potential location has been selected for consideration for a future permanent integrated shelter in Red Deer.

City officials say the proposed location is 4934 54 Avenue, which was originally a City of Red Deer Parks facility and now being used for storage.

“There is still a great deal of work to be done as it relates to finalizing capital and operational plans and dollars related to future shelter services in Red Deer. Plus, the location cannot be finalized until we hear from the public on the rezoning,” said Mayor Ken Johnston. “However, getting to the stage where we can consult the public about a location is an exciting step in this process, and it will enable us, with the support of the Province of Alberta to begin the next steps of this project as our community works together to establish a purpose-built shelter that responds to the needs of all in Red Deer.”

At this time, the vision for the future location, if the rezoning is approved, would involve the demolition of the current structure with the intent to replace it with a new building that would offer the many amenities required to operate a successful integrated shelter that aligns with The City’s Housing First model.

“A permanent shelter has been a need in our city for years, and I am so encouraged that we have reached the major project milestones of securing provincial funding and identifying a potential location,” said Johnston. “Right now we are talking about site, but at its core, this project is about people. It is about shifting our focus to the future of an emergency shelter that provides dignity and hope for some of our community’s most vulnerable. The selection of this potential location is an exciting step in the process of addressing the issue of housing and homelessness in our city.”

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“I am very pleased to hear that the City of Red Deer has identified a potential site for a future permanent integrated shelter. This shelter will play a very important factor in serving the vulnerable population by providing a safe and warm place to sleep while they find permanent housing. I look forward to continuing to work with the City of Red Deer to better house people in need in their community.” said Josephine Pon, Minister of Seniors and Housing.

“I am pleased to see this integrated shelter will be built based on housing-focus & recovery-oriented model, which provides comprehensive & holistic services to move people from homeless to recovery,” said Jason Luan, Minister for Community and Social Services.

With the potential location identified, officials say the rezoning and development process will now begin. Through these processes, The City will look to the community for feedback on the site and what the future structure may look and feel like. Public consultation will focus on the proposed new shelter use and ask for input on how this use could integrate into the neighbourhood.

“There has been extensive work done on where the permanent shelter could go, and council is confident that with receiving provincial agreement to consider this site, this is a good place to consider a future purpose-built shelter in our community,” said Johnston. “We also know continued collaboration and work with our community is critical to ensuring its success.”

The City will begin the public engagement process for re-zoning in the coming weeks. The City of Red Deer will inform and work with the community to share information about upcoming consultation opportunities as the project proceeds.

In November 2020, the Province committed to $7 million in its 2020 Capital Plan for a purpose-built integrated emergency shelter in Red Deer. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Province of Alberta and The City of Red Deer was finalized in February 2021 to establish a general high-level understanding related to the provincially managed project to meet the current and future needs in Red Deer.

Officials say the City of Red Deer and the Province of Alberta will continue to work together as the project proceeds.

Please see the FAQ below for more information.

1) Does the Provincial Government support the proposed location for the permanent shelter?

Yes. Since the announcement of provincial funding for a permanent integrated shelter in 2020, The City has worked closely with the province as we worked to find a potential suitable site in Red Deer. City Council narrowed the list of sites to one potential location and has received support from the province to move ahead with the zoning process.

2) How will the public be involved in the process?

Obtaining citizen feedback is a crucial component to any zoning and development process, this project is no exception. Now that a potential site is being considered, The City will begin the zoning process, which will include public engagement. This process will go out to the community to speak about land use that, if the location is approved, will in turn inform the design phase of the site. If it gets to this point, once the initial designs are made, there will be further public engagement about the detailed designs and how it could integrate seamlessly into the neighbourhood.

3) Why is involving public in the process important?

A permanent shelter is required in our city, and when a location is finalized, there will need to be a mutual commitment between shelter operators and patrons with surrounding businesses, residents and property owners. This is critical to building positive neighbourhood relationships.

4) How is the Provincial Government involved in the process/project?

In November 2020, the province and The City signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that established a high-level understanding related to the provincially managed project to meet the current and future needs in Red Deer. The MOU outlines the responsibilities between the Province, The City and the operator of the future permanent emergency housing site.

The Province of Alberta and The City of Red Deer will continue to work collaboratively as the project proceeds.

5) Where is the money coming from for this project?

The Province committed $7 million in its 2020 Capital Plan for a purpose-built integrated emergency shelter that aligns with The City’s Housing First model. (Housing First approach centers on giving people experiencing homelessness access to permanent housing with no housing readiness requirements, no matter their circumstance.)

At this time, the estimated value of the City owned land at the proposed location is $1 million. Council also approved $200,000 in in-kind contributions per the MOU.

6) Who would run the permanent shelter once operational? Operations for the shelter would be managed and funded through the Province of Alberta.