Prince Albert homeless community and candidates react to shelter location defeat

When asked where he would most like a shelter to be, Carmen said a central location would be most preferred. He added options such as Homeward Bound and even Stepping Stones are a long way to travel for some people, and there’s only so many beds.

“And this is why there’s so many people on riverbanks and backyards. It’s a horror story.”

A homeless encampment in Prince Albert. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

Not far from Carmen’s mind is the snow forecasted to come in less than a month.

“Like it’s getting cold and it’s gonna get colder and people are gonna get sick and perish if we don’t get into some shelters.”

Amanda was around the corner, doing her best to push her heavily-weighted shopping cart down the street. She noted her own sadness about another shelter location being dismissed.

“We’re supposed to be helping each other as a community,” she said.

Agreeing she would use a long-term shelter if there was one available, Amanda said she would like to see options on both the east and west sides of the city. And she too is concerned what will happen when temperatures drop.

“Its cold out here and especially walking around in 40 below weather and having no where to go. It’s really hard out there,” she said.

Ward 2 candidate Troy Parenteau attended Monday night’s meeting and confirmed people he has spoken to on doorsteps are saying that a shelter is needed but that the 18th Street location is not the right fit.

“It’s too far from essential services, such as warm up shelters, addictions programming, Indigenous service providers like PAGC Urban Services and the Friendship Centre, as well as provincial services like the MacIntosh Mall provides,” Parenteau said.

Meghan Mayer, the other Ward 2 candidate, was also at the meeting and told paNOW she is aware it is urgent to address the homelessness in our community.

“However, given the concerns expressed by our residents and the business community in Ward 2, we need to implement a more comprehensive approach that includes increased dialogue with a community advisory group as well as local and provincial leaders,” she added.

Mayer added this is a complex issue as many of the city’s homeless population do not use the current shelter.

“The YWCA stepping stones shelter has done a wonderful job in supporting those folks who have reached out to them. Prince Albert is a caring community and I believe that we will find a solution.”

Well over 100 people gathered at City Hall to hear the discussion. (Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Response from the YWCA

In response to Monday night’s meeting and a concern some wrong information has been published, the Prince Albert YWCA released a statement on Tuesday afternoon, confirming they had purchased the property of 420-18th Street West when it came on the market in August of 2024.

“Suitable buildings are hard to come by and the YWCA felt this location could be used as a shelter or a shop. Consultations with surrounding business owners, the City of Prince Albert and the provincial government were promising. An application was submitted to council for contract zoning and a public consultation was held.”

With respect to why 420 18th Street West was considered, the YWCA cited the following reasons:

1. It is not in a central business or residential area, but rather a smaller industrial area that is still within walking distance of services that are used by the clientele using the shelter.

2. There is a natural barrier between the closest residential area of 19th Street. This is a thick bush on a hill. Shelter users would have no reason to trudge through this bush to make their way to 19th street. There have been encampments in these bushes — YWCA staff and security would ensure encampments do not crop up in this area.

3. The closest business owners have been consulted and are OK with this location being used as a shelter. YWCA Prince Albert has security that would patrol the area as well as garbage pickup as part of client life skills.

4. YWCA Prince Albert has purchased this building to be used as a shelter if re-zoned, or a shop should this location not be chosen for a shelter.

The plan for this location would be to renovate the existing structure into a suitable shelter, which the Saskatchewan Government has indicated it would provide funding.

(Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

The unit block of 15th Street East was another suggested location and according to the YWCA, chosen for the following reasons:

1. Two consultations were held with agencies who provide services to the homeless population. They identified this as the ideal location as it is close to other services.

2. There is a barrier between this property and residential areas, and it is not close to any schools or playgrounds.

3. There are already numerous encampments in this area and the 24-hour security the shelter provides would help address this.

4. Locating the shelter here can help improve the downtown area by providing garbage pickup, security patrolling the area, and 24-hour staffing.

The statement from the YWCA went on to explain the current location of Stepping Stones on the exhibition grounds was meant to be temporary and that the current lease with the Exhibition Association is only month-to-month.

“The shelter has been there since 2020 and it is not an ideal location for a shelter. Prince Albert needs a permanent shelter. As an agency, we have exhausted every possibility, tying up significant resources in the process,” the statement said.

While acknowledging homelessness is a complex issue, the YWCA explained there are many people who choose not to use a shelter because a shelter has rules.

“That is a separate problem, with a different solution required. A shelter will not solve the issue of the people who choose to sleep on the street or in encampments – it is to allow people to have a safe place if they so choose. This is only part of a solution for the concerns of the community surrounding crime, poverty, and homelessness.”

The YWCA stated it is now in the hands of city council to come up with a location for a permanent shelter in the city, and that they anticipate it to be revisited immediately following the election.

Facts about Shelters in PA:

Stepping Stones – Exhibition Grounds underneath the grandstand. Men and Women – 45 beds total (not enough, but no room to expand). Usually at capacity. Clients can be intoxicated to access but must follow rules. There are people who cannot use the shelter – anyone who has a history of rule violations, violence, engaging in criminal activity while at the shelter or having needs too complex to be managed at the shelter level. When Stepping Stones first opened about 90 per cent of the clients who accessed services were intoxicated. This is now down to about 50 per cent. There is no men’s shelter at all in Prince Albert and the women’s beds in the other shelters are always full.

Shelter for women, women with children and youth – 1895 Central Avenue. 14 youth beds, 46 women and women with children beds. This is a sober building for the safety of the children. Clients must be sober to access services. Usually at capacity.

Our House Supportive Recovery Centre – 94 15th Street East. Twelve Crisis beds for women, six mental health beds (male or female) and eight addiction beds (male or female). This too is a sober building, due to it being a recovery centre. Usually at capacity.

Some stats from Stepping Stones:

Since November 1/23

Individuals who used the shelter – 812

Moved onto housing – 61

Sought treatment – 11

Secured a job – nine

Registered for school or training – 19

Sought counselling and/or psychiatric assistance – 26

Reasons for using the shelter include evictions, mental health disorder, addictions, acquired brain injuries, fleeing domestic violence or violence of the street, and working but unable to make ends meet

—

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @nigelmaxwell

by Nigel Maxwell

Prince Albert homeless community and candidates react to shelter location defeat

What's Trending