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xFuture Shelter
The City of Red Deer is working with the Province of Alberta to coordinate the development of a purpose-built integrated shelter in Red Deer. The shelter will be designed to respond to the long-term social needs of our vulnerable population. Council has advocated for a housing-focused shelter model where a move to permanent accommodations is prioritized, helping to ensure shelter stays are brief, rare, and non-reoccurring.
Over the past decade, temporary emergency shelter solutions have been implemented but these have not been designed spaces to support service delivery to those who are facing homelessness and addictions. People in the social service sector have worked tirelessly to support those in need, but they need our support to advocate and implement long-term strategies that will be mutually beneficial.
Purpose-built, in reference to the future shelter, refers to the design of the building and the spaces and amenities that are included. The design and build should meet the needs of those who will access the services offered, as well as supporting the surrounding neighbourhood and the community. The City and the province will work with the community to identify the necessary components of the build, ensuring its success as part of a continuum of social support services offered in Red Deer.
When we refer to the future shelter as being “integrated”, it means that the facility will include a variety of services to help the immediate needs of our vulnerable population, including a primary focus on their journey to obtaining and retaining permanent housing. Services that support an individual’s immediate needs can include items like food, laundry, a safe place to sleep, and medical services. Other services that may be considered in the permanent shelter include services like addiction and mental health support, help in obtaining identification, support in obtaining income, among other services. Some services may be permanent fixtures in the shelter, while others may be temporary or satellite offices.
Project Progress
Learn about the permanent shelter progress since the funding was announced in 2020.
Get Involved
A meaningful public participation strategy is being finalized that will increase trust and transparency through community conversations and information sharing. Find out how you can be involved.
Resources related to permanent shelter process:
- December 2, 2024: City Council passes Zoning Bylaw Amendment to enable provincial plan for emergen
- November 12, 2024: City Council takes steps to enable Provincial plan for Emergency Housing
- September 23, 2024: Province of Alberta announces plan to expand recovery support in Red Deer. More information can be found on their website at alberta.ca, with details provided in a news release distributed by the Province on September 23, 2024.
- September 28, 2023: The City of Red Deer continues to work with the Province of Alberta to site and plan for the development of a purpose-built integrated shelter in our community
- March 23, 2023: Call for privately owned properties for consideration during shelter site select
- February 3, 2023: Live Update: Shelter: an update to the community
- February 3, 2023: Council to continue path forward with shelter site selection process
- February 3, 2023: An open letter to my community
- October 11, 2022: City formally recommends site for future shelter in Red Deer
- September 29, 2022: City and Province of Alberta continue discussion about potential site for future shelter in Red Deer
- September 26, 2022: City to meet with Province of Alberta tomorrow about future shelter site
- September 12, 2022: Potential future shelter site selected by Council
- August 12, 2022: Potential shelter site list going to Council on Monday
- July 20, 2022: Call for privately owned properties for consideration during shelter site select
- July 18, 2022: Shelter site selection process moves to next phase
- July 4, 2022: Council approves Shelter Site Evaluation Matrix
- June 27, 2022: Council defines site criteria
- June 24, 2022: Council begins outlining list of site criteria for permanent shelter
- June 20, 2022: City Council to set special meeting to determine site criteria
- June 18, 2022: Permanent Shelter What We Heard Report released
- What we heard: Analysis of May 25 to June 10 input opportunities (pdf)
- Updated Heat Map displaying previously considered sites for permanent shelter (pdf)
- Site Report - Additional potential site for permanent shelter (pdf)
- May 24, 2022: Public input opportunities for permanent shelter site criteria start tomorrow
- Permanent Shelter Report Summary (pdf)
- History of Permanent Shelter Report (pdf)History of Permanent Shelter Report (pdf)
- May 10, 2022: Public input opportunities for permanent shelter site criteria start tomorrow
- May 5, 2022: Council to consider public participation and advocacy options for permanent shel
- April 11, 2022: Confidential permanent shelter information released; next steps approved
- March 7, 2022: Development of public engagement plan on permanent shelter approved
- March 4, 2022: Council to review report and consider next steps with permanent shelter
- March 3, 2022: What We Heard report (pdf)
- February 28, 2022: Council meeting set to review full report on permanent shelter community convers
- January 22, 2022: Potential location selected for permanent emergency shelter, Map of potential permanent shelter location (pdf)
- November 2020: Memorandum of Understanding signed by The City of Red Deer and Government of Alberta (pdf)