The expansion to the Lethbridge Shelter and Stabilization Unit is officially opened. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Expansion to Lethbridge homeless shelter complete

May 23, 2025 | 9:45 AM

The Lethbridge Wellness Shelter and Stabilization Unit can now accommodate more people and offer more support.

A grand opening ceremony was held for the newly expanded building on 2 Avenue A North on Thursday, May 22.

The nearly 16,000 square-foot facility is a dedicated sleeping space for as many as 200 clients. It features a raised “security nest,” washrooms, and a larger area for personal items to be stored.

Jason Nixon, Alberta’s Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services, says their partnership with the Blood Tribe Department of Health (BTDH) has allowed for the creation of a modern, high-quality shelter.

“This is exciting,” says Nixon. “We have a very stable shelter location, doubling the capacity and being able to take care of Lethbridge’s homeless population, and ultimately, again, to continue the work the Blood Department of Health is doing to connect people to long-term, meaningful services.”

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However, he says that this is “not the solution to homelessness.”

“This is the emergency room to get people to the solution. So, without this part of the system at the beginning, you can’t get people to situations where they can see long-term changes in their lives, so this is a great example of how you can do it right.”

Nixon spoke of his family’s own history with homelessness as his father lived in a cardboard box in Calgary many years ago. He says, at the time, there were no shelters or support services, and it was only by a “miracle” that somebody offered some help.

If that had not happened, Nixon believes that he would be living a very different life than he is today. The minister told LNN that that is why he is so grateful to see spaces like this opening up.

BTDH CEO Derrick Fox says the original building was not initially designed to be a homeless shelter, so they were always challenged to accommodate their clients and their varied needs.

By moving all of the sleeping spaces to the new facility, it allows them to offer more services.

The BTDH took over operations of the shelter from the City of Lethbridge in early 2023. Fox says one of their goals was to offer more spiritual and cultural guidance, not only for Indigenous peoples, but for everyone.

“Some of those knowledge and info sessions, if we must call them anything, kind of touch the surface, but I think, you know, with having that further area to have those kinds of activities and awareness and info sessions, it just makes it stronger for our members,” says Fox.

He adds, “When we talk about trauma and addictions, this is a pathway that helps members potentially go down their healing journeys as well. We felt very strongly in the work that we were doing on our nation – we could further come across and support members.”

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

Fox talked about the importance of stressing family and the bonds people have with their loved ones in helping people to get better.

“What’s kept me going is that spiritual connection – what would my mother want us to do? In her teachings and her way of life and her approaches, this is what it’s about. It’s about caring,” says Fox.

The Alberta Government provided $5 million in funding for the expansion project, while the City of Lethbridge donated land for it.

Blood Tribe Chief Travis Plaited Hair speaks at the opening of the expanded shelter. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

Minister of Assisted Living and Social Services Jason Nixon speaks at the grand opening of the newly expanded shelter in Lethbridge. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

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