In Slave Lake, Alberta, a grey job-site trailer that once served as the town’s only homeless shelter is now closed permanently, following a town council decision in May. The shelter, which previously housed up to 20 people, was shut down due to community concerns citing drug abuse, theft, and trespassing. Since its closure, crime rates have remained stable, though there has been a slight increase in suspicious person reports, according to local RCMP Sgt. Casey Bruyns.
Mayor Francesca Ward and some councillors acknowledged the shelter’s failure due to a lack of adequate support for mental health and addiction issues, despite receiving $900,000 in provincial funding for the trailer. The town is seeking a more effective, long-term solution and is open to an emergency winter shelter run by a different organization.
Barb Courtorielle, executive director of the Slave Lake Native Friendship Centre, which previously ran an out-of-the-cold program, expressed concerns about the future of the homeless population. She believes the shelter was poorly managed and is worried about the lack of a solution as winter approaches. Courtorielle emphasized the need for compassionate, well-managed support systems to address homelessness effectively.
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