Red Deer council has directed city administration to maintain "a consistent and balanced mitigation approach" in responding to urban encampments on public lands, as outlined in the current corporate policy and procedure.
At Monday's meeting, council unanimously approved a resolution related to consistent mitigation, advocacy for a shelter strategy and a review of transitional housing.
The approved resolution states council "agrees to continue to advocate to the Government of Alberta for a comprehensive shelter strategy and continue to work on the Emergency Housing/Shelter project to create a low barrier new 24/7 shelter with a focus on incorporating a Recovery Oriented System of Care approach to service delivery."
Additionally, council will direct the council representatives to the city’s Housing and Homelessness Integrated Committee to bring forward a motion to have Housing and Homelessness Integrated Committee review and make recommendations to city administration on if and how Red Deer would benefit from new transitional housing infrastructure as an interim solution.
According to a the report presented to council on Monday, the city’s current policy is "very successful" in achieving its target of having sites cleaned within 14 days, despite a substantial increase in encampments.
The City’s current policy and procedure are still finding a relative balance of maintaining enjoyment of parks and trails, supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, and ecological preservation, the report states, adding that housing is the only long-term solution to homelessness.
"The ability to reduce homelessness in Red Deer is significantly impacted by the lack of affordable and supportive housing supply. Urban encampments are an unfortunate symptom of this housing shortage, and a citizen’s lack of desire or inability to utilize shelter services available. Encampment clean ups without sufficient and appropriate interim and permanent housing options leads to a cycle of clean up unless housing that meets their needs is secured," the report states.
The report came in response to Councillor Lee’s Notice of Motion re: Urban Encampment Responses that Council approved during the 2024 budget debate. This motion called for administration to consider several items, including reducing the time to dismantle encampments, preventing establishment of encampments, and connecting rough sleepers with social supports and understanding overall community shelter capacity.
