Emergency shelters provide critical, short-term accommodation and support for people experiencing homelessness. Alberta’s government is ensuring adequate emergency shelter space is available to those who may need it through the winter months. Through the Action Plan on Homelessness, $1 million has been provided to the city of Lethbridge to fund temporary winter shelter spaces.
“As we head into the winter months, one of our top priorities is making sure our most vulnerable people have a safe and warm place to stay and access to the supports they need. These additional shelter spaces in Lethbridge are an example of our strong partnership with the Blood Tribe Department of Health that will make a difference in a community with an urgent need.”
The shelter spaces will be run by the Blood Tribe Department of Health and located in a trailer at Lethbridge’s main shelter. Alberta’s government provides more than $3 million in annual funding for the operation of 121 year-round shelter spaces in Lethbridge. With this new funding, those at risk of experiencing homeless now have access to over 170 emergency shelter spaces in the city.
“Shelter capacity is an urgent issue for our community and we are grateful that we’ve been able to work with the Government of Alberta and Blood Tribe Department of Health to create this additional space. With colder temperatures ahead of us, this will help protect the health and wellness of our most vulnerable residents as we all work together to find more permanent solutions to our housing needs.”
“Additional shelter capacity for the winter months is critical in Lethbridge given the estimated number of people at risk of experiencing homelessness. We are appreciative of the Alberta government’s commitment to helping the most vulnerable people. The additional space during the winter months also alleviates stress that our shelter staff experience by enabling them to safely and appropriately assist the most vulnerable.”
“Lethbridge Housing Authority is thankful for the Government of Alberta’s commitment to ensuring Lethbridge’s most vulnerable individuals will have access to a warm, safe space during our coldest months. With this additional funding to the Blood Tribe Department of Health we will be able to better serve our homeless population and provide access to housing pathways that offer long term housing solutions.”
"These 50 spaces will help some of Lethbridge’s most vulnerable through our coldest months. I’m glad Alberta’s government is also investing in affordable housing and addiction recovery including the recent opening of the Lethbridge Recovery Community as these programs and services are making a better future possible for those currently experiencing homelessness."
This funding for Lethbridge is part of a $9 million investment to fund temporary shelter spaces across Alberta through the 2023/24 winter. This year, over $180 million is being invested to address homelessness and support community-based initiatives. This funding is supporting the operation of 3,700 spaces in 28 emergency and longer-term transitional shelters in nine communities in Alberta.