City will identify potential locations for new homeless shelter by early May

From the City of Red Deer

Council supports interim shelter, directs administration to find alternative location

City Council has resolved to support the continuation of an interim shelter and directed administration to find a new location in collaboration with the Province and service providers.

“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,” said Mayor Tara Veer. “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. 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 today 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.”

Within four weeks, administration will bring back options for a new interim shelter location for Council to consider. To ensure the proper processes take place for the relocation, administration will also bring forward a recommendation to extend the operations at the current temporary shelter site at Cannery Row.

“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. When we come back in four weeks, we will bring timing, costs and procedural requirements to make the move to a new site,” said City Manager Allan Seabrooke.

At this time, the Cannery Row site has guaranteed Provincial funding until March 31, 2022. The City will work with the Province and Safe Harbour to secure proper funding for a new temporary location.

“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,” said Seabrooke.

The interim shelter is expected to support the community’s vulnerable population until a permanent shelter is operational. On February 7, 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. Specifics about location, timing and operational details have not yet been determined by the provincial government.

Related Topics:#CityofRedDeer #HomelessShelter

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City of Red Deer

City Council looking for options to reduce hundreds of encampments

Published on September 14, 2024

City of Red Deer

New actions for response to urban encampments being considered by City Council

New actions for The City’s response to urban encampments will be considered by Council on Monday, with a focus on interim and long-term solutions to homelessness. The proposed actions include everything from maintaining a balanced mitigation strategy to exploring interim housing solutions.

The report comes in response to Councillor Lee’s Notice of Motion re: Urban Encampment Responses that Council approved during the 2024 budget debate. The report reviews the past five years of data, analyzes service levels, and evaluates Corporate Administrative Policy 3141C – Urban Encampment Response. The key recommendations in the report focus on providing a balanced approach to mitigating the effects of encampments while working towards long-term solutions for homelessness. These recommendations include:

Consistent Mitigation: Maintain The City’s current approach to encampment responses, ensuring the most balanced mitigation strategy available at this time to protect public lands while supporting vulnerable individuals.
Advocacy for Shelter Strategy: Council will continue to advocate to the Government of Alberta for a comprehensive shelter strategy, including the development of a low-barrier 24/7 emergency shelter with a Recovery-Oriented System of Care.
Review of Transitional Housing: Request that the Housing and Homelessness Integrated Committee (HHIC) review the potential for new transitional housing infrastructure as an interim solution to support individuals transitioning out of homelessness.

“The City’s current policy is still achieving its target of having sites cleaned within 14 days. Despite a substantial increase in encampments, responses have continued to be increasingly efficient, largely due to enhanced relationships and experience levels,” said Jodi Kelloway, Acting Superintendent, Social Wellness and Integration Supports. “In recent months, we have seen a significant rise in the number of people experiencing homelessness, with shelters operating at or near capacity. Many individuals living in encampments have limited or no alternative options available. It is important that we continue to improve our response while building capacity within the housing continuum that considers current realities and the unique needs of community members who are unsheltered. The actions we propose in today’s report are about building and expanding on what we already do.”

Under the current policy, The City has a level of service that urban encampments, debris, and belongings are to be removed within 14 days of an initial report, 90 per cent of the time. While The City’s current response to urban encampments is effective, with 98 per cent of camps being cleaned up within 14 days, the number of encampments continues to rise. In 2023 alone, 881 encampments were dismantled, with a projected overall increase of 75 per cent by the end of 2024.

Costs related to encampment clean-up have reached approximately $2.87 million over the last five years, shared among several City departments, including Parks, Public Works, and Emergency Services. Despite increased efficiency, the growing number of encampments presents ongoing challenges and concerns.

The City’s Encampment Assertive Outreach team continues to engage individuals living in encampments, providing referrals to social and housing services. However, the report notes that many individuals face barriers to accessing shelter due to personal circumstances, such as the need for privacy, the ability to be with their partners, accommodation for pets or possessions, highlighting the ongoing need for tailored solutions.

Councillor Lee’s January 8, 2024, Notice of Motion called for administration to consider the following:

Reducing the time to dismantle encampments.
Preventing establishment of encampments.
Connecting rough sleepers with social supports and understanding overall community shelter capacity.
Develop recommendations for individuals setting up or using encampments to encourage them to seek alternative shelter.
How much money The City has spent on the cleanup of encampments over the past five years, and how much subsidy, if any, has been provided by other levels of government.
Including the continuum of housing that is currently available in Red Deer and what is needed.
That Administration report to council on the progress of the review of Corporate Administrative Policy 3141C – Urban Encampment Response”.

“The City of Red Deer is committed to supporting the health and safety of those sleeping rough, citizens who are enjoying parks, trails and public spaces, and staff responding to encampments,” said City Manager Tara Lodewyk. “Unfortunately, urban encampment work is a very short-term solution to a very complex health, housing, and public safety need in our community. The ability to reduce homelessness in Red Deer is significantly impacted by the lack of affordable and supportive housing supply. Until this is resolved, we will continue in this cycle of clean up.”

More detailed information is available in the City Council report located on the Council Meetings and Schedule page.

City of Red Deer

Kinsmen Community Arenas closed until mid-November

Published on August 7, 2024

City of Red Deer

From City Council, Tuesday, August 6

Kinsmen Community Arenas funding request (decision)

Council has approved the $350,000 budget request to replace the chiller at the Kinsmen Community Arenas; this will be funded through the Capital Projects Reserve. Administration will order the part, which is expected to arrive in 14 weeks, then the contractor will take two weeks to install, then staff will install ice, taking an additional ten days. If there are no delays or issues, the arenas are anticipated to open mid-November at the earliest.
Administration is working to revise rental permitting that has been previously shared with sport groups –the majority of rental permits will need to be revised with a proportionate reduction in ice access across all community rental groups. Revised permits are anticipated to be back to Sport Partners by August 30.
The chiller is the main piece of equipment that allows ice to be made at the twin arenas. It cools brine water and provides cooling. The brine water’s chemical properties keep it from freezing. To freeze the rink surface, the system pumps chilled brine water through the pipes and then into the ice-bearing concrete slab.