City of Red Deer
City Council grinding out a solution for the site of a permanent homeless shelter

Council approves Shelter Site Evaluation Matrix
SITE CRITERIA | SUB-CRITERIA | POINTS | PERCENTAGES |
Ability to acquire site | 20 | ||
Cost | 40% | ||
Zoning | 15% | ||
Timing | 40% | ||
General | 5% | ||
Adequate size | 20 | ||
Adequate land size (outside/inside) | 30% | ||
Can accommodate purpose built/dignified spaces | 20% | ||
Can accommodate on-site/integrated services | 30% | ||
Future flexible/expansion opportunity | 10% | ||
General | 10% | ||
Broad community impact | 24 | ||
Operational and Budgetary Impacts | 17% | ||
Alignment with Community Vision (Strategic Plan/Downtown Vision/Vision 2040) | 25% | ||
Impact to City Reputation | 13% | ||
Economic Impact | 25% | ||
Safety Impacts | 17% | ||
General | 4% | ||
Impacts to surrounding area | 26 | ||
Impacts to businesses | 23% | ||
Impacts to downtown | 19% | ||
Impacts to Parks, Trails and Greenspaces | 19% | ||
Proximity to Schools | 12% | ||
Impacts to Residential Neighbourhoods | 23% | ||
General | 4% | ||
Access to services & supports | 10 | ||
Access to transit and transportation | 10% | ||
Distance/proximity to supports/services | 20% | ||
Foot Traffic Patterns | 20% | ||
Enables delivery of 24/7 integrated service | 20% | ||
Enables delivery of basic amenities/services | 20% | ||
General | 10% |
Council approves Shelter Site Evaluation Matrix
In the above matrix, the sub-category identified as general under each criteria represents the remaining points allocated to the overarching site criteria.
“The site criteria evaluation matrix approved today will be utilized by administration and City Council to inform decisions about the future site of an integrated shelter in Red Deer,” said Lisa Perkins, Acting City Manager. “The process of developing this matrix has been all about our commitment to consider what we heard from the public, honouring the voice of the City Council in the development of the matrix and selecting a site for the future integrated shelter.”
Along with the criteria and weighting, Council adopted a resolution outlining conditions upon which City Council developed site criteria for the Shelter Site Evaluation Matrix. Ultimately, the site criteria within the matrix are the right criteria “if” the following are true:
- Shelter is for those who need short stay emergency housing. There are other services/facilities along the housing spectrum.
- Shelter is one site.
- Funding may limit scope.
- New services have potential to change outcomes.
- The permanent shelter will be a housing focused delivery model [(Per Council resolution Nov – 21) – GOA confirmed Jan 22]
- Shelter with wrap around services may not necessarily eliminate the need for those requiring shelter to access external services, to connect with community.
- There are innovative alternative delivery/service and systems that need to address the diversity of clients and impact on community.
- The shelter will operate 24/7
- The shelter will be designed to provide adequate spaces for short time stays that honour the dignity of each person
- There is a recognition and advocacy for the ongoing housing (eg. PSH & Affordable Housing) needs.
- Council will continue to have discussions with the Provincial Government on future Overdose Prevention Services/Supervised Consumption Services.
- A good neighbour policy will be developed.
- Community agencies are supportive of an integrated model and willing to work collaboratively towards this.
- The shelter would integrate or operate as many related services on site as reasonably possible.
These statements will be utilized to inform City Council’s advocacy position around the integrated shelter going forward.
“While the decision in front of City Council in the immediate future pertains specifically to site, we also know there are many conversations to be had with the Province of Alberta about other aspects of shelter including, but not limited to, shelter design, operations and service delivery,” said Mayor Ken Johnston. “We look forward to continued collaboration with our provincial colleagues as we work in partnership to ensure a safe place for our vulnerable citizens to access required services on their journey to permanent housing, which is beneficial for the whole community.”
In addition to the resolutions about the shelter evaluation matrix criteria, City Council resolved that administration will begin preparing a list of possible sites alongside a commercial realtor with Mayor Johnston and the Deputy Mayor providing Council perspective.
Administration will come back to City Council on July 18 to share an update with City Council about the site selection process.
For more information on the shelter project process, please visit www.reddeer.ca/shelter. Citizens and community partners wanting to receive updates on the shelter project by email can subscribe here.
City of Red Deer
City of Red Deer Employee Honoured with Bob Stollings Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions

Annette Scheper, Community & Program Facilitator in the Safe & Healthy Communities Department is The City’s 2025 recipient of the Bob Stollings Memorial Award.
The Bob Stollings Memorial Award is given out each year to a City employee who displays outstanding performance in alignment with The City’s RISE cornerstone values – respect, integrity, service and excellence. Nominations for the award are submitted by fellow coworkers detailing the employee’s achievements professionally and interpersonally, along with letters of support. The award is considered a great honour among City staff.
With an impressive 22-year career, Annette has played a pivotal role in shaping Red Deer’s cultural and special events landscape. Her leadership and innovation have brought thousands of successful events to life, creating lasting traditions that enrich the lives of residents. Her commitment to excellence and resourcefulness has ensured that community initiatives are inclusive, accessible, and impactful.
One of Annette’s most notable achievements is the development of the Community Loan Program, which provides essential resources for local groups, contributing an annual value of $86,778.95 back into the community. In addition, she has successfully led and executed a variety of large-scale events, demonstrating remarkable problem-solving skills and a dedication to sustainability. From creating elaborate event designs with repurposed materials to managing complex logistics, she continuously sets the standard for excellence.
“Annette exemplifies the best of our organization,” said City Manager, Tara Lodewyk. “Her unwavering dedication, innovative thinking, and ability to bring people together has made a profound impact on our city. This award is a testament to her hard work and passion for creating meaningful experiences for our community.”
The Bob Stollings Memorial Award was first established in 1985 and is presented every year to honour Robert (Bob) E. Stollings, a loyal and dedicated City employee from 1960-1984.
City of Red Deer
Red Deer will choose a new Mayor as Ken Johnston decides to step away

It’s a telling detail about the person who leads Red Deer City Council. Always putting the city’s needs ahead of his own, Mayor Ken Johnston has announced his intentions within days of the opening of Nominations for October’s municipal elections,
After 12 years on council, Mayor Ken Johnston has decided against running for a second term as Mayor this fall. Johnson shared his decision in front of colleagues and supporters in a touching announcement on Wednesday.
At 71 years old, Johnston remains vibrant, passionate and healthy. He says that’s exactly why he and his wife Carolyn have decided now is the right time to start their next stage of life together.
Mayor Johnston listed a number of highlights and achievements he can look back on, including his help advocating for the redevelopment of Red Deer Regional Hospital, the growth of Red Deer Polytechnic, and positive moves in Economic Development.
All these lead of a feeling of ease about the decision to step away, though affordable housing and a permanent shelter for the homeless remain pressing concerns.
With about 8 months remaining in his term, Mayor Johnston is planning to push hard to move the needle on these housing issues.
“We’re looking forward to some more work and we’ll be going to the community shortly about it. So I still have optimism that maybe before the term is out we can have an announcement.”
This is the second major political announcement in Central Alberta in the last number of days. Earlier this week Red Deer Mountain View MP Earl Dreeshen announced he won’t be running in the next federal election.
-
Media1 day ago
CBC retracts false claims about residential schools after accusing Rebel News of ‘misinformation’
-
Bjorn Lomborg1 day ago
Net zero’s cost-benefit ratio is CRAZY high
-
2025 Federal Election1 day ago
Mark Carney Wants You to Forget He Clearly Opposes the Development and Export of Canada’s Natural Resources
-
2025 Federal Election1 day ago
Police Associations Endorse Conservatives. Poilievre Will Shut Down Tent Cities
-
2025 Federal Election1 day ago
Carney’s Hidden Climate Finance Agenda
-
2025 Federal Election1 day ago
Polls say Canadians will give Trump what he wants, a Carney victory.
-
2025 Federal Election1 day ago
Columnist warns Carney Liberals will consider a home equity tax on primary residences
-
2025 Federal Election1 day ago
Nine Dead After SUV Plows Into Vancouver Festival Crowd, Raising Election-Eve Concerns Over Public Safety