By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

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Podcast: Reviewing Red Deer’s housing & homelessness portfolios + The City approves new winter response plan

Jan 23, 2026 | 4:17 PM

The City of Red Deer’s Emergency Advisory Committee has endorsed a new Emergent Winter Response for Unhouse Plan.

The plan will guide how the community responds when extreme winter conditions create heightened risk for people experiencing homelessness, according to the municipality.

“The endorsed plan gives us a clear, shared framework to respond when conditions become dangerous,” said Mayor Cindy Jefferies. “It ensures we can act quickly, work closely with community partners, and focus on protecting people while continuing to connect them with longer-term supports.”

Triggers include:

September 2022 Incident

Man sentenced to 7 years in Ponoka shooting

A few minutes ago

Early February

Olds RCMP arrest man known by police after evading in stolen vehicle

1h ago

Vehicle reported stolen out of Stettler

Drumheller RCMP seeks assistance in identifying male who fled from police

20h ago

• Time of year: Applies between November 1 and April 30.
• Extreme cold: Forecast temperatures of –20°C with windchill for three or more consecutive days.
• Shelter capacity: Emergency shelters are at or near maximum capacity.
• Joint decision-making: A coordinated decision is made by shelter providers and The City of Red Deer to implement an extreme weather response.
• Additional considerations: Activation may also consider overall system strain, available community supports, and health and safety risks to people without shelter

The plan and its triggers are in place until the committee decided to change it, meaning it remains in effect beyond this season.

The City notes that response options include expanded access to public facilities during operating hours, enhanced outreach and wellness checks, emergency warming centres, and other measures designed to reduce risk during severe weather events.

They add that they will continue to monitor weather conditions, shelter capacity, and community impacts daily. Information about winter response measures will be shared through City channels, including reddeer.ca and social media, when escalation thresholds are met.

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