Streets Alive Mission plans to appeal at Stop Order issued by the City of Lethbridge at a hearing on December 21, 2023. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Streets Alive Mission to appeal City of Lethbridge Stop Order

Dec 7, 2023 | 6:32 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A local non-profit is set to argue that it should be able to continue with its activities that assist the homeless population in Lethbridge.

Streets Alive Mission Co-Founder Ken Kissick is reacting to a letter from the City of Lethbridge that states it must obtain the proper development permits or cease providing some of its services.

A Stop Order was issued in the letter, dated October 13, 2023, stating that numerous inspections were conducted by city staff between August 3 and September 6 of the same year, to determine if the activities were within the scope of the development permit for its “Religious Assembly.”

It was determined by the municipality that the following activities contravene Streets Alive’s current permitting:

• The weekly attendance of Community Paramedics
• Hair care services and Foot Fridays
• Other services such as the Financial Administrator Program, PIN Clothing Bank, the provision of lockers for non-employees/volunteers, and allowing the site to be used as a mailing address for non-employees/volunteers

  @lethbridgenewsnow Streets Alive Mission plans to appeal a Stop Order issued against it by the City of Lethbridge. Learn more at LethbridgeNewsNow.com #YQL #LNN #Lethbridge #Alberta #StreetsAliveMission #News ♬ original sound – Lethbridge News Now

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When he first received this letter, Kissick said he felt “confusion” and “disappointment” in the City of Lethbridge.

He states that these are services the organization has been providing since 2000 and it has never been an issue until now.

Kissick believes that the Community Paramedics, as one example, are not only important for those who are homeless, but that it benefits the entire community.

“If you’ve got some medical issues and there’s a set of paramedics that you can see every Monday afternoon, where’s that healthcare going to come? We know there’s literally hours and hours and hours of waiting at the emergency room [at Chinook Regional Hospital] – this saves the medical system tonnes of money,” said Kissick.

He adds that, by providing free haircuts to disadvantaged peoples, it can help them to look professional and get jobs.

As well, the provision of locker spaces allows the unhoused population to store their belongings if they need to attend court. Kissick said, “Those are the kinds of things that they’re saying we need a different kind of permit for, but yet, those are all activities that churches do. Most churches actually have mail slots for their congregation members that they can put those internal and external mail in.”

Kissick told LNN that he has tried to contact the City of Lethbridge on multiple occasions to talk about the issues at hand, but claims he has received nothing but silence and non-answers from city officials so far.

The City of Lethbridge said in a statement to LNN that it would cost Streets Alive $466 to obtain the necessary permits – far lower than the estimate of $5,500 that some people had been stating online.

If the Stop Order is not overturned, Streets Alive will have until August 9, 2024, to obtain the necessary permits.

Given that a hearing before the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board has been scheduled for later this month where officials from the non-profit are expected to speak, the City said it is limited in terms of what it can say publicly at this time.

The hearing has been scheduled for December 21, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. at council chambers inside of Lethbridge City Hall.

The meeting is open to the public.

The Notice of Appeal and related documents can be viewed on the City of Lethbridge website.

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

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