Motion to push for homelessness strategy
By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on January 24, 2023.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com An official business motion will be presented to Lethbridge city council today calling on administration to develop a long-term approach to deal with homelessness.The motion, to be put forward by councillors John Middleton-Hope and Nick Paladino, stated that the province has indicated that $1 million in funding is available for shelter space if Lethbridge has the location and approvals in place.
Therefore, they are asking council to direct administration to develop “a strategic, long-time response for sheltering residents in need and those who are difficult to house (high acuity), including the establishment of a permanent shelter that may also be used to temporarily house citizens during severe inclement weather or in the event of a disaster (including any required funding amounts and the proposed sources of funds).”
The motion asks that administration report back to city council through its Cultural and Standing Policy Committee by the end the second quarter of this year.
In their motion, Middleton-Hope and Paladino say sheltering the “difficult to house” has taken an ad hoc approach which leaves gaps in service, particularly during extremely cold weather.
The council meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. in City Hall.
In another matter regarding the homeless, Lethbridge Housing Authority CAO Robin James will be asking council to accept a letter formally rescinding rezoning applications for Castle Apartments and Halmrast Manor.
The decision was jointly made by Lethbridge Housing Authority/Lethbridge and Region Community Housing Corporation and the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Instead, a development permit will be applied for under their existing downtown commercial zoning for the discretionary use of Supportive Housing – Restricted which will allow only up to 25 units of supportive housing at each location.
Two public hearings had been scheduled in council chambers this afternoon regarding amendments to Bylaw 6390 affecting Castle Apartments and Bylaw 6391 which impacts Halmrast Manor. Follow @albeebHerald on Twitter 4
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