The City of Red Deer is putting out a call to local landlords to see if they want to lease space to the interim homeless shelter.
As part of the site search process for a new temporary shelter location, the city issued a notice of business opportunity for available lease sites.
The call is open until June 16 on the city’s website. Property owners whose site meets the minimum criteria are invited to submit a response.
Working with realtors to find potential sites for the interim shelter has resulted in very few available options, said Kristin Walsh, the city’s safe and healthy communities manager.
City council was told last month that, so far, no local landlords were found willing to lease their property to the shelter.
“Putting out a notice of business opportunity will hopefully bring forward sites that were not identified in our original search,” added Walsh.
The notice outlines the minimum requirements to accommodate the interim shelter until a permanent shelter is operational.
These include: 10,000 square feet, preference for amenities such as washrooms, kitchen, laundry, storage and outdoor area, $10 square-foot lease rate, and availability to start leasing from Sept. 1, with an operational start date of Oct. 1 for the shelter.
“We recognize that not all interested property owners may meet these minimum requirements so we are willing to work to facilitate the needs of the interim shelter,” said Walsh.
“Our goal is to find a location that not only meets the needs of the interim shelter, but also the needs of our community.”
City council directed administration on April 7 to compile a list of potential sites throughout the community. On May 26, council approved the extension of shelter operations at the downtown Cannery Row until Sept. 30.
For information on submitting a response, visit the bids and tenders section of the city’s website.