(Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Facilities in Lethbridge to benefit

Province extending COVID supports in homeless & women’s shelters

Nov 17, 2021 | 1:37 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Alberta Government is making numerous announcements that aim to support people accessing shelters.

Premier Jason Kenney said $21.5-million will be utilized province-wide for these facilities.

“As we continue to navigate through COVID, one of our top priorities is to make sure all Albertans have a safe place to stay and access to the support they need. Together with the $78 million previously announced by Alberta’s government, this additional funding will help organizations on the front lines deliver the services vulnerable Albertans need.”

Emergency homeless shelters

$13-million dollars will support 14 expanded homeless shelter facilities to meet physical distancing requirements.

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Funding will also go towards, where possible, 24-7 access to regular meal service, showers, laundry services and connection to addictions and mental health services and housing.

Facilities in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Lloydminster, Drayton Valley, Leduc, Slave Lake and Wetaskiwin will be supported through this grant stream.

Isolation facilities

$6.5-million will support about 285 isolation spaces in 10 communities.

The province says these facilities are a critical component of the shelter pandemic response, and help alleviate pressure in the public health system by helping shelter clients who contract COVID-19 isolate and receive medical care if hospitalization is not required.

Additional capacity may be added in some rural communities as needed.

Facilities in Calgary, Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Wetaskiwin, Peace River and Lac La Biche will be supported through this grant stream.

Emergency women’s shelters

$2-million in funding will support service delivery adjustments at emergency women’s shelters.

Due to the pandemic, there has been an increase in domestic violence across Alberta.

This funding will help shelter operators offer more support through community outreach and virtual service delivery as well as hotel isolation, and adjust in-shelter services to align with public health orders.

The province did not specify which communities will receive grants to aid women’s shelters.

In addition to the shelter funding, the government will create a task force to address homelessness.

It will include the following members:

• Patricia Jones (co-chair), Calgary Homeless Foundation
• Dale McFee (co-chair), Edmonton Police Services
• Andre Corbould, City of Edmonton
• Bruce Reith, Hope Mission
• Carol Adair, University of Calgary
• Cheryl Whiskeyjack, Bent Arrow
• Dave Jackson, Lealta Building Supplies
• Dr. Louis Hugo Francescutti, University of Alberta
• Earl Thiessen, Oxford House
• Holly Mah, Chinatown and Area Business Association
• Jordan Reiniger, Boyle Street Community Services
• Kathy Christiansen, Alpha House
• Michelle Wilsdon, Enoch Cree Nation
• Sandra Clarkson, Calgary Drop-In Centre (DI)
• Susan McGee, Homeward Trust
• Tricia Smith, Boyle McCauley Health Centre

“I would like to thank the community leaders and experts who have stepped up to help address this critical issue for vulnerable Albertans,” says Jason Luan, Minister of Community and Social Services. “Alberta’s government is committed to making a difference for people experiencing chronic homelessness. I expect this task force to move quickly with clear actions that make a difference in communities across the province.”