Homeless people in Prince Albert now number about 200, according to estimates, and double those seen one year ago. (Nigel Maxwell/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

Homeless crisis

Winter shelter likely to re-open mid-October as homeless numbers double

Sep 22, 2023 | 5:20 PM

Stepping Stones shelter has plans to re-open on Oct. 15 at its location at the Exhibition Grounds but it’s already projected to not have enough beds.

Those who work in social housing estimate that Prince Albert’s current homeless numbers are around 200, twice what it was a year ago.

The Stepping Stones shelter houses around 40 beds but will only open during the night.

The population of people living on the streets of Prince Albert can be difficult to determine as people move around and are difficult to track.

Encampments have been seen in some locations, including along 15 Street East which was the scene of two fires earlier this week.

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The Prince Albert Fire Department confirmed the blazes were a result of campfires used to those without shelter warm. They were quickly extinguished and no one was injured.

(Derek Craddock/paNOW Staff)

Incidents like these only further the calls for a more permanent solution for Prince Albert’s homeless population. Speaking on those plans for a permanent shelter, Mayor Greg Dionne said the location has been confirmed, but provincial funding has not been nailed down.

“We do have a location, but we continue to look for an answer. The answer is a permanent one, 24 hours per day,” he said.

Keeping warm during the day could prove difficult for some as many services have stopped since last winter.

The Community Cares Kitchen was shut down this summer after funding ended and the Gate, operated by a Prince Albert church, stopped its work the previous fall after its main volunteer stepped down due to health reasons.

Some services are still running including those at downtown’s Embassy Church.

“We give out 100 lunches, but not everyone is homeless that we serve. When it gets too cold to serve outdoors we serve indoors. Last year that was at the St Alban’s Church gym,” said Roberta Krider.

The Prince Albert Salvation Army is serving food out of its building along Central Avenue and, in fact, is stopping its thrift store operations to focus more on that part of its operations.

The meals are offered Monday to Saturday and the ministry also gives out clothing vouchers to people who need them.

In the past, counts of homeless people have been done in winter, with people from various agencies such as social services, police and others conducting the count over two days.

Brian Howell with Riverbank Development Corporation called the increase in homeless numbers a ‘crisis’ but said it is not isolated to Prince Albert.

The growth has been seen across Canada and even the US and Europe, starting in 2021.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com