The Town of Strathmore council has approved a letter of support for the Strathmore Overnight Shelter to operate 24/7, a decision made during the council’s Sept. 18 meeting. Coun. Brent Wiley raised concerns that expanding the number of beds could lead to accommodating non-residents from outside Strathmore, which he believed might increase costs for local taxpayers. Despite these concerns, the council ultimately supported the letter, which did not specify the number of additional beds.
Elizabeth Karp, the shelter’s executive director, addressed Wiley’s worries by emphasizing that the shelter prioritizes local residents. She explained that while they occasionally receive inquiries from larger cities, they typically deny those requests unless under specific circumstances involving local law enforcement or hospitals. Karp noted that the shelter’s expansion aims to qualify for more grant opportunities, not to increase the number of clients from outside Strathmore. The shelter maintains a three-month maximum stay policy, extendable for clients actively pursuing housing. Following the discussion, the council voted 5-1 in favor of signing the letter, reflecting support for the shelter’s mission and operational needs.
Read the full story with accompanying video on CTV News: