The City of Red Deer’s Emergency Advisory Committee, led by Mayor Cindy Jefferies, met yesterday and endorsed an Emergent Winter Response for Unhoused Plan to guide how the community responds when extreme winter conditions create heightened risk for people experiencing homelessness.
The plan establishes clear principles, activation criteria, and escalation triggers to ensure a coordinated, timely, and compassionate response when weather conditions worsen, and shelter capacity is exceeded. It confirms The City’s role as one of supporting and supplementing existing community services when demand exceeds available resources, while continuing to prioritize safety, dignity, efficiency, and connections to housing and supports.
Triggers include:
- Time of year: Applies between November 1 and April 30.
- Extreme cold: Forecast temperatures of –20°C with windchill for three or more consecutive days.
- Shelter capacity: Emergency shelters are at or near maximum capacity.
- Joint decision-making: A coordinated decision is made by shelter providers and The City of Red Deer to implement an extreme weather response.
- Additional considerations: Activation may also consider overall system strain, available community supports, and health and safety risks to people without shelter
Response options include expanded access to public facilities during operating hours, enhanced outreach and wellness checks, emergency warming centres, and other measures designed to reduce risk during severe weather events.
“The endorsed plan gives us a clear, shared framework to respond when conditions become dangerous,” said Mayor Cindy Jefferies. “It ensures we can act quickly, work closely with community partners, and focus on protecting people while continuing to connect them with longer-term supports.”
The City will continue to monitor weather conditions, shelter capacity, and community impacts daily. Information about winter response measures will be shared through City channels, including reddeer.ca and social media, when escalation thresholds are met.