City of Lethbridge approves changes to encampment strategy

They add that this will not result in a net increase in municipal spending as it utilizes already-existing resources.

“Increased ability to adapt and respond to community needs in real time as it would eliminate a third party that may be bound by contractual expectations or organizational mandates. This option would also ensure access to cultural resources through the Blackfoot Resource Hub and ICA cultural competency training,” reads a section of a city council document.

Other updates to the encampment strategy include the addition of a seasonal triage worker and clarifying the the different tiers of encampments.

The strategy was approved last spring with Encampment Response Team (ERT) members hitting the streets in June.

Between June and December, residents made 455 reports to the 3-1-1 phone line about encampments, 207 for debris, 176 for biohazards, and 140 for needles. July was the busiest month for the team.

There were at least seven instances were ERT members were able to call paramedics to help respond to overdoses.

In one case, a youth living in an encampment was placed in the care of Child and Family Services.

Although the highest concentration of encampments was seen in the downtown area, the report shows that they were dispersed throughout much of the north and south sides.

The City had budgeted $903,460 for the encampment strategy in 2023, but say just over $350,000 was leftover and will be carried forward to this year. The strategy is funded through the end of 2026.

The full encampment strategy update can be found on the City of Lethbridge website.

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by David Opinko

City of Lethbridge approves changes to encampment strategy

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