Red Deer city council increases emergency homeless shelter capacity for winter months

In addition, they must provide dedicated security staffing specifically tasked with the regular patrols of the courtyard and parking lot areas, 24 hours per day, seven days per week.

The security staff are required to patrol exterior areas throughout the night to manage guest movement and ensure neighbourhood safety.

The applicant is also required to maintain the site in good order, ensuring compliance with all city regulations and bylaws. Security staff and volunteers must conduct daily inspections of the exterior premises to remove all associated debris and waste, ensure the area is clean, and maintain a log to document all inspections.

Councillor Adam Goodwin said he wished there was a way for the surrounding businesses and private properties near the site to receive more support.

“As Councillor Buruma had been asking, what are their options? I’m going to oversimplify, but the options are it’s up to them,” Goodwin said. “That doesn’t strike me as full cycle. We’re here in this case we’re looking after protecting the most vulnerable, but at the same time we’re here for the entire population.”

Councillor Cassandra Curtis thanked Hope Mission for doing their best to keep more people safe this winter.

“I realize there’s not a lot of resources, and collaboration definitely is key. I’m hoping service providers come together to make sure that nobody gets left behind,” she said.

Councillor Dianne Wyntjes, while supporting the increase in capacity, spoke to the need for permanent supportive housing.

“Recognizing those individual vulnerable people who cannot live on their own and need supports for their lives,” Wyntjes said. “We have a provincial budget coming up, and I know there’s probably not any long-term funding, but sometimes project funding is always appreciated for our community and addressing some of those. I will support this, recognizing the vulnerability of many individuals in our community.”

Councillor Kraymer Barnstable gave credit to Hope Mission for getting ahead of the need for more space before temperatures drop. He referred to last year when he said the city was left scrambling at the last minute to find space.

Mayor Cindy Jefferies said communication is key when trying to meet the needs of the community and credited Hope Mission for doing that.

It was in April of this year that council approved Hope Mission to operate Red Deer’s temporary emergency homeless shelter for another year.

They approved a development permit to allow Hope Mission to continue operating the shelter at the Cannery Row building until May 1, 2027. This new development permit does not change that.

The shelter was previously run by Safe Harbour, but on April 1, they handed over the keys to Hope Mission. The application was set to expire on May 1 of this year.

Hope Mission is supplementing the increase in capacity with a core on-site staff of nine people who will be there 24/7. Hope Mission will also be adding three additional people per shift.

There will also be a rapid response team with at least two paramedics or EMTs per shift. There is an on-site nursing and post-overdose clinic and universal naloxone training.

In terms of security, there will be interior rounds done every 30 minutes and on the exterior every hour.

Ade Adeoye, director of emergency care and housing at Hope Mission, was on hand to answer questions from council.

When asked why an additional 75 beds were the right number, he said there’s a great need in the community.

He added that they plan to take as many people in from the cold as they can, so on extremely cold nights they may need to exceed the 275-bed capacity limit.

“The need is great. I think that’s what we’re realizing,” Adeoye said. “We’re seeing that the needs in the community are very complex, so it would require very creative solutions… The primary mandate is to provide essential supports to vulnerable people in Red Deer who are unhoused.”

City Manager Tara Lodewyk said during the meeting that the city’s Housing and Homeless Integration Committee has recognized the need for more warming spaces due to an increase in the homeless population.

She said the Point in Time count numbers have not been released yet, but they know they will be higher than last time.

“So you will see that they’ve cobbled together some funding, and we will have a Request for Quotation that goes out on Friday for a provider for daytime supports to have that service in the community this winter,” Lodewyk said.

Mayor Jefferies added that they continue to have conversations with various Alberta ministers, including one with the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, Rick Wilson, to talk about needs in the community.

“It’s my understanding that they are focusing on Red Deer in the days to come to try and assess the situation and improve the situation here. Stay tuned and cross your fingers,” Jefferies said.

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by Ian Gustafson

Red Deer city council increases emergency homeless shelter capacity for winter months

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