City councillors are expected to talk this week about plans to put more social services for vulnerable Edmontonians in industrial areas.
A new Hope Mission homeless shelter is scheduled to open later this year in northwest Edmonton, near 149 Street and Yellowhead Trail.
Shelters were previously not allowed in industrial areas. That changed this year when Edmonton’s zoning changes came into effect.
Community members in Dovercourt, some who live just blocks away from the new shelter, say they weren’t consulted.
“Most of the response is ‘I’m scared,’” explained Dovercourt resident Ashley Speer. “And this is a safe community, this is a quiet a community; there’s a reason we chose to live here.”
Not only does Speer and other neighbours have concerns about increased traffic and safety in the area, she adds the industrial area where the shelter is located is far away from supports for houseless people.
“There’s not a lot of services in this area,” she said. “There’s a Costco across the street — they can’t get in there — the next closest is Westmount for services. There’s not a lot to walk to or be around.”
Hope pledges regular communication with EPS
CityNews reached out to Hope Mission to speak about the 24/7, 120-bed site expected to open in October. The shelter organization responded with a letter to community members, outlining Hope’s safety plan.
Included in that plan: the “regular presence” of a 24/7 crisis diversion team; transportation to and from the site; regular communication with police; storage options inside the facility; and daytime services on site.
“Hope Mission is committed to promoting community safety and minimizing disruption to the area,” the letter to residents reads.
“We continue to work closely with the City of Edmonton, Government of Alberta, Edmonton Police Service and other partners to support our community.”
WATCH: Edmonton homelessness crisis
But Speer doesn’t feel like there was enough consultation with those living just seven blocks away in Dovercourt. It’s a frustration echoed by the Dovercourt Community League and the councillor for the area.
“I think there was a misstep in the public hearing process — that I raised during the public hearing — of Dovercourt Community League not being included as a required notification,” said Ward Anirniq Coun. Erin Rutherford. “I think that was a huge misstep. Unfortunately I didn’t have council majority support for a referral.”
Councillors are slated to hear a report Tuesday that would recommend not restricting shelters like the one on 149 Street. It comes as the city grapples with the need to spread out social supports across the city.
Implications of Limiting Temporary Shelter Locations Council Report by CityNewsToronto on Scribd
Coun. Rutherford says she understands the need the spread out support, but feels there are better and more transparent ways to do it.
“The solution to me is allowing shelters in places that would be in those ‘cuspy’ areas of a neighbourhood,” she said. “So in a neighbourhood, but a more commercial area.
“But also that shelters and the Government of Alberta and the City of Edmonton do a better job of communicating and engaging with communities so there’s an understanding of what is and isn’t happening in those shelters, where they can go with concerns once it opens.”
