The homeless encampment that was set up near the Civic Centre in the summer of 2022. (Photo: LNN)

By Sarah Jones

Lethbridge City Council moves motion to develop plans for permanent shelter

Jan 25, 2023 | 4:21 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge has one year to develop a plan for a permanent weather and emergency shelter, in order to receive a $1,000,000 grant from the Government of Alberta.

City Council unanimously passed an official business motion on January 24, 2023, that directs the Cultural and Social Standing Policy Committee to report back by the end of Q2 2023.

While city administration has attempted to make efforts to provide temporary shelter for the homeless population, a permanent solution has yet to be conceived.

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This motion will help to create a strategic, long-term response for sheltering residents in need and those who are difficult to house (high acuity).

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That includes the establishment of a permanent shelter that may also be used to temporarily house citizens during severe weather or in the event of a disaster.

In 2022, the Government of Alberta indicated that $1,000,000 in funding is available for shelter space, but the City of Lethbridge must have the correct approvals in place within the next 12 months.

Councilor Nick Paladino said during Tuesday’s meeting, “Co-sponsoring this motion was a no-brainer to me, and frankly, I was of the opinion that this had already been done as well.”

“I’m hoping this time some concreate solutions will be presented. I look back at the attempts by previous council to locate supportive housing sites that failed for one reason or another, that was followed by the encampments of last summer,” explained Paladino. “Then it appears we’ve abandoned the Civic Centre location and let’s not forget the parking riot and the damage caused there and now the Streets Alive warming centre which lasted all of two weeks.”

He continued, “I think council was still waiting for some real options to either buy, lease or rent, and finally approve a more permanent solution. This motion is presented to express a sense of urgency on this matter, and I trust my colleagues on council will agree.”

This proposed shelter won’t be replacing the already established shelter that was recently taken over by the Blood Tribe Department of Health, but will be a secondary option that will create temporary relief as a warming or cooling centre based on weather conditions.

In November 2022, Streets Alive offered their location as a temporary 24-hour warming shelter during the cold snap, but when warmer conditions dawned on Lethbridge in January 2023, it was deemed no longer necessary.

Read more: Streets Alive Mission temporarily suspends 24-hour warming center, looking for new location

At this time, there is no location as to where a warming centre may be located if weather conditions drop below freezing.

In the meantime, city administration will be taking a closer look at appropriate locations and work with the Government of Alberta and community agencies to create a suitable resolution.

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