Finding a permanent spot to replace the temporary Stepping Stones Shelter has proven a challenge for Prince Albert. (YWCA Prince Albert/Facebook)

By Susan McNeil

Shelter decision

Seven people on Monday council agenda to speak in favour of shelter

Mar 21, 2025 | 2:00 PM

Seven members of the public have asked to be part of Monday’s executive committee meeting to speak in favour of a shelter location being chosen.

Not all details of what each person will say are available as most just asked to be given time to speak but at least one person wrote a detailed letter to show why she supports a shelter being built.

That letter details how the writer has not worked for years because she has cancer and estimates that treating the disease has cost the healthcare system a million dollars already.

She relies on help to be able to afford to live and said, “Does that make me less valuable? Does that mean I shouldn’t have a roof over my head and my basic needs met?”

The YWCA, which has the contract to operate a homeless shelter in Prince Albert, has used a temporary location at the Exhibition grounds since the pandemic.

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They have been looking for a permanent location for four years and have involved the city more actively for the last two years.

A community-wide consultation was directed by the new Mayor Bill Powalinsky and council with a deadline for decision by the end of March but was delayed again when some councillors questioned the results of an online survey that was part of the consultation.

Included in the consultation report were recommendations by staff as to which city owned lots most matched the criteria laid out as important.

The decision was delayed to allow councillors time to create their own list of criteria, which is due on Monday, March 24.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: @susanmcneil.bsky.social