City to explore creation of a community care campus to aid at-risk population

Apr 6, 2022 | 10:32 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A “made for Lethbridge” solution to homelessness, mental health, addictions, and more is in development.

At the Tuesday, April 5, 2022, regular meeting of Lethbridge City Council, a vote to hire a consultant to explore the creation of a community care campus (CCC) was approved unanimously.

With a budget of up to $100,000, the consultant will engage with the community on what such a campus would entail, create conceptual designs, and develop the business case for it.

A CCC would see many services integrated or co-located into one area, essentially becoming a “one-stop” experience of having a person’s immediate needs met.

A report provided to city council explains that CCCs could include core services such as a shelter, food, hygiene, clothing, storage, housing location assistance, family reunification, culturally-appropriate spaces and programming, and case management.

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Some ideas of “complimentary considerations” are physical and mental health services, income support, transitional or supportive housing, harm reduction, employment services, legal aid, and detoxification.

The report mentions that proponents of CCCs say that it is an efficient and effective approach to helping those who need it, while critics argue that co-location would result in “ghettoization.”

Director of Community Services Mike Fox said it will also be important for the consultants to look into a variety of potential locations, both on the outskirts of the city and inside of it.

The consulting firm, which has not yet been hired, will regularly report back to council with their progress.

by David Opinko