City of Red Deer
Homelessness Task Force release interim report – Looking for your feedback
Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce Task Force on Homelessness Release Interim “What We Heard” Report
Following eight months of comprehensive research, reviews of best practices, targeted interviews, and community conversations, the Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce (the Chamber) Task Force on Homelessness is pleased to announce the release of its interim “What We Heard” report.
“As we share this interim report, we extend our sincere gratitude to all those who engaged with us throughout our research phase,” said Lyn Radford, Task Force Chair. “The perspectives shared with us have been instrumental in shaping our understanding of the complex issue of homelessness in Red Deer and informing our interim report.”
Since May 2023, the Chamber’s Task Force has prioritized listening and learning from various organizations and individuals to better understand the homelessness situation in Red Deer.
The Task Force:
• reviewed studies, municipal approaches, and news articles regarding best practices in addressing homelessness in Alberta and across North America;
• toured 17 agencies and facilities providing support for individuals experiencing homelessness in Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer;
• conducted 12 targeted interviews with government officials, social sector agencies, and community members who are experienced in social services or connected to homelessness initiatives; and
• hosted two community conversations to learn and hear from the social sector and Chamber Members on their perspectives and experiences regarding homelessness in Red Deer, with 47 individuals participating in these conversations.
The interim report outlines the Task Forces’ understanding of the homelessness situation in Red Deer and provides a summary of what has been learned during the research phase.
“Assessing the data and research gathered through our business lens, the Task Force has identified six key overarching themes that contribute to homelessness in Red Deer and are areas where the business community can actively contribute to address the issue and advocate for meaningful change,” says Scott Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber. “We invite Red Deerians to review the report and provide their feedback on our findings by February 16, 2024. Your feedback is crucial in guiding our next steps as we strive to develop recommendations that are sound, relevant, and responsible. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in addressing homelessness in Red Deer.”
The interim report and feedback form may be viewed at:
https://www.reddeerchamber.com/homeless-task-force/.
The feedback form is at this link.
From the Homeless Task Force Report
A CASE FOR ACTION
During the City of Red Deer’s 2022 Point in Time Homeless count, 334 individuals were identified
as experiencing homelessness, more than double the 144 individuals identified as experiencing
homelessness in 2018.
Homelessness has a ripple effect throughout the community. Not only are the hundreds of Red
Deerians experiencing homelessness not being adequately supported in our community, but
homelessness impacts health and social services resources, crime and safety, and the reputation
and economic viability of Red Deer.
Recognizing the growing impacts of homelessness throughout Red Deer, the Red Deer & District
Chamber of Commerce (the Chamber) formed a volunteer Task Force of business leaders to
understand the homelessness situation in Red Deer better and identify specific areas where the
business community can actively contribute to addressing the issue and advocate for meaningful
change.
This interim report outlines the Task Force’s understanding of the homelessness situation in Red
Deer and summarizes what the Task Force learned during the research phase.
In the spring of 2024, the Task Force will deliver a final report using these findings to create a set of actionable recommendations for the community to consider.
2022 POINT IN TIME HOMELESSNESS COUNT
In 2022, the seven Albertan cities listed below coordinated point in time homelessness counts to create an understanding of homelessness across the province. While the cities coordinated their efforts, unique community trails and approaches impact the ability to make direct comparisons between the cities and results. Below, the number of individuals identified as experiencing homelessness and the city’s population are listed.
Calgary 2,782
Population: 1,413,8000
Edmonton 2,519
Population: 1,087,803
Grande Prairie 328
Population: 67,699
Lethbridge 454
Population: 104,254
Medicine Hat 70
Population: 65,949
Red Deer 334
Population: 105,883
Wood Buffalo 162
Population: 74,532
Source: Homeless Hub Community Profiles
KEY THEMES
Assessing the data and research gathered through our business lens, the Task Force has identified six key overarching themes that contribute to homelessness in Red Deer and are areas where the business community can actively contribute knowledge, experience, or resources to address the issue and advocate for meaningful change.
The overarching themes are:
1. Housing is a business and economic development issue
2. Community understanding of homelessness
3. It’s hard to go home when there is no home to go to
4. Collaborative fragmentation
5. Bureaucratization of homelessness
6. Conflicting civic priorities
City of Red Deer
Over 25 Canadian cities support initiative designating December as Christian Heritage Month
From LifeSiteNews
Major cities that have signed on include Ajax, Durham, Sudbury, Mississauga, Ottawa, and Niagara Falls in Ontario, Alberta municipalities Red Deer and Okotoks, and Regina and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan. In British Columbia, Whistler and Prince George have also signed the petition.
More than 25 Canadian municipalities signed onto a proclamation declaring December as “Christian Heritage Month.”
The proclamation also asks provinces to take the initiative to declare the last month of the year in recognition of Christianity as an important part of Canadian heritage given the fact other faiths have special months of their own.
Major cities that have signed on include Ajax, Durham, Sudbury, Mississauga, Ottawa, and Niagara Falls in Ontario, Alberta municipalities Red Deer and Okotoks, and Regina and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan. In British Columbia, Whistler and Prince George have also signed the petition.
All of the cities have pledged to bring forth legislation that enshrines December as Christian Heritage Month into local law. Many have already done so.
The move by Canadian cities comes after the federal government and provincial governments have yet to proclaim December as Chrisitan Heritage Month.
According to the Christian Heritage Month Initiative, its mission is to have December “declared as Christian Heritage Month, recognizing the values of love, service, and compassion that define the Christian community.”
“The Christian Heritage Month Initiative is a dynamic, multi-denominational movement dedicated to celebrating the vibrant cultural, social, and artistic contributions of Canada’s Christian community,” the initiative says.
The initiative is under the leadership of Jay and Molly Banerjei, who are behind the Christian Music Festival. The organization says that the initiative “unites diverse voices and fosters a sense of belonging, enriching our nation’s identity and promoting inclusivity for all.”
Looking at Mississauga’s recent council motion that designates December as Christian Heritage Month, councillors have said its province under Premier Doug Ford should do the same.
Mississauga’s motion, which has been sent to Ford, was brought forth on October 30 by Councillor Brad Butt.
It reads that Christianity is among the “diverse faiths followed by Mississauga residents and one of the most followed religions in Canada and Mississauga. Christians have made valuable contributions to the cultural, social, religious, and humanitarian fabric of our city and have played an important role in shaping our diverse community.”
The Mississauga motion also makes a point that December is “marked by significant events and celebrations in the Christian calendar, commencing with the observance of Advent and culminating in the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, which is also known as Christmas.”
“Christian organizations and places of worship in Mississauga offer religious services, unique events, and initiatives that highlight a strong Christian heritage during the month of December,” and it’s “also widely associated with the tradition of gift giving and the gathering of family, friends, and people of all faiths, during the Christmas season,” its councillors wrote.
“Recognizing the month of December, which is a significant month in the Christian calendar, as Christian Heritage Month provides an opportunity for all residents to celebrate the history, traditions, and teachings of the Christian faith, promoting understanding and appreciation of the diverse religious and cultural heritage of our city.”
Canada is historically a nation founded on Christian ideals and principles. European settlers who came to Canada from France and then later from what is the modern-day United Kingdom were Christian and included missionaries who tried to spread the faith to the local Indigenous populations.
Canada has observed Christmas since 1641, well before its official founding, according to some historical records.
As reported by LifeSiteNews, Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) MPs have urged all Canadians to support a petition that calls on the federal government to proclaim December as “Christian Heritage Month.”
Last year, CPC MP Marilyn Gladu introduced a Private Member’s Bill C-369 that would designate December as “Christian Heritage Month,” saying this is only the “fair and right” thing to do.
The bill reads that “In the negotiations that brought about Confederation, Canada was originally named ‘Dominion of Canada,’ a name reportedly inspired by the passage in the Bible (King James Version) at Psalm 72:8, which says, ‘He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.’”
The bill states that December in Canada marks “significant events and celebrations in the Christian calendar, from the beginning of Advent to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ; And whereas, according to Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census of Population, Christianity is the largest religion in Canada, with over half of Canadians identifying as Christian.”
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.
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