At today’s meeting, City Council approved an amendment to the Land Use Bylaw and a development permit to allow the temporary shelter to continue operating in Cannery Row (5239 53 Avenue) for two additional months while The City explores other site locations. Safe Harbour Society, the organization who has been operating the site will continue to do so with funding from the provincial government.
Council received feedback from surrounding landowners in writing over the past month and members of the public were given the opportunity to speak to the issue during the public hearing held during today’s meeting. Concerns around safety and impacts on businesses, as well as addiction related challenges were voiced. The City will continue to work with RCMP, Safe Harbour Society and other social support agencies as well as area business owners to assist with concerns are being addressed.
The approvals today allows the temporary shelter to operate at the current site for two months while The City explores other location options. The temporary shelter is meant to fill the need until a permanent shelter is operational. In February 2020, the Province of Alberta committed $7 million in its 2020 Capital Plan for a purpose-built integrated emergency shelter in Red Deer. A memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Province of Alberta and The City of Red Deer was finalized to establish a general high-level understanding related to the provincially managed project to meet the current and future needs of Red Deer. Specifics about location, timing and operational details have not yet been determined by the Provincial Government.
For more information about the temporary shelter, see attached FAQ: Temporary shelter to operate for two more months at current location (pdf)
For more information, contact:
Corporate Communications
The City of Red Deer