Decision still to be made on utilizing Civic Centre as sober shelter
By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on November 29, 2022.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com A report will be presented to city council today by chief of staff Carly Kleisinger on public feedback about a sober shelter being considered for the city.Today’s council meeting begins at 1:30 p.m. in City Hall and will be live-streamed on the City’s YouTube channel.
Council will be asked to accept Kleisinger’s report as information.
According to her submission, administration has finished public engagement and the What We Heard report on the proposed shelter at the Civic Centre.
More than 200 people attended public open houses while 450 responded to an online survey, says the report.
“Questions in the survey were targeted to provide feedback that would assist administration in further steps of the project such as submitting a development permit application, building design, negotiations with the province and provincially-chosen operator and more,” says the report.
While initial discussions suggested that the Civic Centre might be quickly converted to shelter space, says the report, a determination has been subsequently made that it is likely the space won’t be ready for shelter use until next fall due to construction timelines and development processes.
It adds that administration is working on the “necessary steps to apply for development approval for an interim shelter…and will move forward with the co-ordination of project development including Safety Code permit applications, space design, construction, neighbour engagement and more.”
A final decision, says the report, hasn’t been made on whether the Civic Centre will be used to house a shelter.
“There are a number of key decision steps along the way that involve a number or different authorities,” including the development officer, Subdivision and Development Appeal Board, city council and the province, adds the report.
Alpha House doesn’t have enough space to house all people needing emergency accommodations, says the report, adding that “an additional location with emergency accommodations will not only increase the number of spaces in the City but will also add an additional option for those experiencing homelessness to choose from. However, it should be noted that use of a shelter is voluntary and it is unlikely that all those experiencing homelessness will choose to use emergency/temporary accommodations.”
Costs for accommodating a shelter at the Civic Centre range from $500,000 to $750,000 and it’s not yet known who would be responsible for that cost.
Responses to a survey question about what considerations the City should keep in mind when developing a lease agreement “frequently referenced the need for 24/7 security, strict waste disposal requirements, restrictions on loitering, mental and social supports as part of the shelter operations and short-term lease respondents,” says the What We Heard report.
Survey responses prompted a range of comments with some calling the Civic Centre a poor location while others called for stopping Band-Aid solutions.
Administration heard there shouldn’t be “a ridiculous amount of restrictions that would prevent people from accessing the shelter.” Follow @albeebHerald on Twitter 4
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