Homelessness Timeline

The issue of homelessness is not new, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Understanding the challenges faced — and decisions made — up to this point in time are an important part of deciding how we move forward.

The issues our community is facing have sparked a lot of frustration as we all try to deal with the reality we find ourselves in. Discussion is important, because it moves us closer to strategies and solutions that work for everyone. However, any productive dialogue must be grounded in fact.

Spanning 15 years, the timeline below underscores the complexity of what we're dealing with. Consider the players it involves and the patterns it reveals. Then share your insights on how we can build a better looking timeline moving forward together.

September 8, 2008

Neighbours Outreach Wetaskiwin Proposes Emergency Shelter Location

Neighbours Outreach Wetaskiwin (NOW) Society puts together a proposal for the development of an emergency shelter in Wetaskiwin. The proposed location of the shelter is the former rural RCMP detachment. This property is zoned C2 – General Commercial, which does not allow for temporary shelter services. This bylaw amendment is defeated by Council on the second reading.

August 15, 2018

Skate Shacks Used as Temporary Shelters

The City re-purposes skate shacks and places them in a vacant field frequented by members of the vulnerable population as a means to provide basic protection from the elements. The goal is to provide a shaded place for people who have no other escape from the heat during the summer months.

Scheduled to be moved in the fall to fulfil their primary use as skate shacks during the winter months, the sheds are destroyed by fire prior to relocation.

February 5, 2019

City Opens Emergency Warming Shelter

From February 5 to April 30, 2019, an emergency warming shelter was set up in the Wetaskiwin Civic Building, thanks to a $40,000 provincial grant. This shelter was open from 7 p.m. until 8 a.m. every day and was largely run by unpaid community volunteers, including City staff and Council members. This model proved unsustainable and did not address the complex needs of those who accessed the shelter.

February 12, 2019

City Allocates $65,000 to Open Emergency Shelter

At their regular November 12, 2019 meeting, Wetaskiwin City Council directs that Administration take immediate steps to open an emergency shelter at the Civic Building again. A financial commitment of up to $65,000 is approved to cover the shelter's operational costs until March 31, 2020.

December 1, 2019

City Contracts Lighthouse Church to Run Emergency Shelter

At their regular November 12, 2019 meeting, Wetaskiwin City Council directs Administration to take immediate steps to open an emergency shelter at the Civic Building again. A financial commitment of up to $65,000 is approved to cover the shelter's operational costs until March 31, 2020.

The City closes the shelter earlier than planned after abuse, threats, and assaults were reported by community members accessing/working in the downtown core.

July 1, 2020

The Open Door Engages the City

The Open Door Society advocates for homelessness and addictions programming/facility setup in City of Wetaskiwin. As presented, the model would be based on The Open Door's pilot 24/7 Integrated Youth Hub in Camrose (launched in 2017).

July 1, 2020

The Open Door Looks to Purchase Local Building

At The Open Door Association begins seeking property in Wetaskiwin to serve as its base of operations. Finalizing the purchase was contingent on the property being re-zoned to allow for a shelter. Adequate notice and public hearings are required before City Council can rezone property--as required by the Municipal Government Act.

September 14, 2020

City Commits $90,000 to The Open Door

Wetaskiwin City Council approves up to $90,000 for The Open Door to mobilize, operate, and manage a local 24/7 integrated support site — slated to open November 1, 2020 in Wetaskiwin.

September 14, 2020

The Open Updates City Council

Jessica Hutton, Executive Director for The Open Door provides Wetaskiwin City Council with an update on their program and operational plans. The Open Door shares its hopes to begin operations in Wetaskiwin by November 2020.

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October 26, 2020

Council Votes Against Rezoning for New Shelter Location

Wetaskiwin City Council votes against a proposed re-zoning of 5417 36 Ave to allow for the operation of a 24/7 support site following threats of litigation from The Mormon Church's lawyer. Legal counsel stated that the City did not properly notify the church during the notification process by leaving a dated letter at their door instead of hand-delivering it..

November 2, 2020

City Declares State of Local Emergency

The City of Wetaskiwin declares a State of Local Emergency (specific to the vulnerable population) to allow The Open Door to utilize the Civic Building as a temporary shelter while the search continues for a suitable, permanent location.

November 5, 2020

City Grants Temporary Use of Civic Building

The Open Door asks City Council for interim options for an emergency facility. The City offers its mostly-vacant downtown Civic Building as a stopgap solution. All parties agreed to the terms and conditions. The Open Door takes up temporary residence in the Civic Building.

November 12, 2020

Temporary Shelter Opens at Civic Building

The 24/7 Integrated Response Hub (The Hub) officially begins running its programming from the Civic Building.

November 30, 2020

The Open Door Signs MOU with City

The Open Door signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City. This document establishes, among other things, that The Hub is responsible for all activities in the interior of building and the RCMP and Community Peace Officers are responsible for enforcement on the exterior.

January 18, 2021

Danielle Smith Interviews The Open Door's Executive Director

Danielle Smith interviews Jessica Hutton, Executive Director of The Open Door, on her radio program. In the interview, Hutton provides a rough breakdown of users of The Hub's services: 20% Wetaskiwinites; 20% Wetaskiwin County; 60% Maskwacis.

March 22, 2021

Relocation Options Presented to City Council

City Administration presents a report to Council containing an overview of available funding, business requirements, and estimated timelines to relocate Hub to a new location.

May 6, 2021

City Assembles Hub Task Force

City Administration assembles a Hub Task Force. Members focus on observations, facts, increased public concerns, and things that can be done to improve the deteriorating situation in the downtown core.

May 13, 2021

City Provides Community Update

The City provides an initial community update via Zoom in tandem with the Downtown Business Association. This event is hosted by the Leduc/Wetaskiwin Chamber of Commerce. MP Mike Lake and Minister Rick Wilson attended.

May 13, 2021

RCMP Link Crime Stats to Hub Programming

Wetaskiwin RCMP Inspector Durance makes a direct correlation between the Hub's programming and a significant drop in crime stats across the board (conceding that COVID also skews the stats). Insp. Durance also posits that the spike in crimes/assaults in the downtown core is due to the hub centralizing the vulnerable population, whereas prior to the hub these incidents were spread out geographically.

May 13, 2021

Council Revokes MOU with The Hub

Wetaskiwin City Council revokes its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Open Door, giving them a 90-day window to vacate the Civic Building following a sharp increase in assaults, graffiti, and harassment in the City's downtown core.

May 25, 2021

Hub Task Force Presents to Council

The Hub Task Force presents a set of recommendations to Wetaskiwin City Council for Review and approval.

June 3, 2021

FCSS Revives Homelessness Committee

The Guiding Coalition on Homelessness Committee holds its initial meeting.

June 8, 2021

City Provides Update to Community

The City provides a community update via Zoom hosted by the Leduc, Nisku & Wetaskiwin Regional Chamber of Commerce--to the community on the plan for supporting vulnerable humans locally. MLA Mike Lake attends.

August 5, 2021

Makeshift Tent Encampment Appears

Following the Hub's final day of tenancy at the Civic Building, users of the Hub's services begin to gather at a food bank in the City's northeast. The proprietor of this business accommodates a makeshift tent encampment on the Rock Soup property, which eventually spills over onto an adjacent private lot. This encampment results in considerable tension in the surrounding community.

August 16, 2021

Community Voices are Heard

During its regular session, Council facilitates an open mic session to hear from community members. This session exceeded the capacities for both in-person and videoconference attendees, and roughly an hour and a half is dedicated to the voices of both concerned community members and proponents of the encampment.

August 19, 2021

Special Council Meeting Held

City Council holds Special Meeting to discuss an alternate temporary site for the makeshift encampment. RCMP Inspector Durance presents his plan for the green space adjacent to the Walmart in the City's southwest.

November 12, 2021

City Council Tops up Grant Funding for Warming Shelter

City Council tops up grant funding to help ensure that a fenced encampment as a temporary warming shelter proceeds as planned. A $150,000 federal grant from Reaching Home plus $35,000 from the City (and potential support from the Government of Alberta) have been earmarked to fund temporary shelter services at the site located at 37A Avenue.

The temporary trailers are not intended for daytime use, and are planned to be in service until March. City administrators continue to pursue funding related to this project.

November 24, 2021

City Provides Community Update

The City hosts a community update via Zoom provide a progress update regarding the warming shelter. GM of Community & Protective Services Paul Edginton provides a thorough rundown of recent activities, pivots and milestones related to the warming shelter project. He describes the operational requirements of the temporary warming shelter; announces The Mustard Seed as the shelter service provider; and unpacks a recent Government of Alberta pledge for funding and resources to combat homelessness.

At the end of the update Mr. Edginton made a plea to the community at large to volunteer their time, donate critical supplies like firewood, or otherwise assist with the project.

November 26, 2021

Warming Shelter Site Prepared

City staff and contractors gain access to the encampment at 37A Avenue and begin preparing the site for the new warming shelter. Crews work in earnest toward the projected opening date of December 1. Once encampment residents gain access to the shelter, the Mustard Seed will take over its daily operation.

The warming shelter is about 1500 square feet, which can accommodate 20 overnight guests plus shelter staff. If usage spikes occur, the space could temporarily accommodate up to 40 with required COVID-19 protocols such as plexiglass barriers in place. The structure is powered with a propane generator. The City has engaged Fortis to determine the feasibility of supplying the warming shelter with electrical power to reduce operating costs.