The province has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Blood Tribe Department of Health to continue operating the Lethbridge shelter. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Expansion project announced at Lethbridge Shelter

Feb 16, 2024 | 2:13 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The province has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Blood Tribe Department of Health (BTDH) to continue operating the Lethbridge shelter.

The BTDH took over operation of the shelter in early 2023 from Alpha House, who had been in charge of the shelter for three years.

READ MORE: Blood Tribe Department of Health takes over operation of Lethbridge homeless shelter

As part of the MOU and the partnership, the province is providing a $4 million capital grant to support the expansion of the emergency shelter through the Lethbridge Housing Authority. The City of Lethbridge is providing an in kind contribution of $1.4 million for transfer of the property.

Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services said, “We are confident in the work being done by the Blood Tribe Department of Health and look forward to continuing to address homelessness together with them. We’re also very pleased to see capital grant funding going towards expanding the services already offered in the city of Lethbridge.”

Week-in-review: A spring storm, Whoop-Up Days entertainment and housing for seniors

May 11, 2024

What's Happening in Lethbridge this weekend: May 10, 2024

May 10, 2024

Week-in-review: Passenger rail, a big investment in Coaldale and an NFL draftee from Lethbridge

May 04, 2024

With the funding, the shelter will be expanded from its current capacity of around 120 shelter spaces. The expansion will increase capacity to more than 200 shelter spaces and at least 30 stabilization spaces.

The investment will also expand supports available to those experiencing homelessness, including social benefits, health care, addiction treatment and housing connections.

The province previously announced $1 million in funding through the Action Plan on Homelessness to operate up to 50 temporary winter spaces in Lethbridge in 2023.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now.

—

If you have a news tip, question or concern, please email Lethbridge.newsroom@Pattisonmedia.com.