Prince Albert Proposes Emergency Shelter Amid Community Concerns

The Prince Albert City Council is set to vote on a zoning bylaw amendment and development permit for a new Complex Needs Emergency Shelter at 99 9th Street East on July 21, 2024. This proposed facility, located in the former SLGA liquor store near the police station, will serve as a secure site for individuals experiencing crises and is intended to help prevent public disturbances associated with intoxication.

Backed by the Saskatchewan Government, the facility is designed to provide short-term stabilization, withdrawal management, and connections to community support services. It will operate as a police-referral-only site, accommodating between 10 to 15 beds and employing a team that includes nurses, crisis care support staff, and on-site security. Individuals may stay for up to 24 hours before being referred to additional services.

Community Response and Concerns

The Saskatchewan government highlights positive outcomes from similar shelters already in operation in Regina and Saskatoon, suggesting they have improved public safety and reduced the burden on police and hospitals. However, local stakeholders, including the Prince Albert Downtown Business Improvement District (PADBID), have expressed concerns regarding the program’s effectiveness, asking for data on success rates and the frequency of repeat visits by the same individuals.

City administration has voiced support for the proposed shelter, citing the growing demand for mental health and addiction services in the area. The selected site is deemed suitable due to its proximity to essential emergency services. City officials anticipate only minimal impact on the surrounding properties due to controlled access.

Despite this support, significant public apprehension has emerged. Residents from the Midtown area have raised alarms about the facility’s location, which is near homes, schools, and childcare centers. Frances Buchan, a local resident, characterized the proposal as a “medically supported detention facility” rather than a care home, arguing, “We do not benefit by having a detention facility in our neighborhood.”

Concerns about neighborhood safety were echoed by Dave Mulhall, who pointed to existing issues such as discarded needles and intoxicated individuals in the area. He highlighted the troubling reality that schools in the vicinity have adopted a routine of checking playgrounds for hazardous materials like needles.

Laurent Fournier also questioned the decision to place the shelter in a residential area instead of a commercial zone or another location within the city.

Call for Clarity and Further Discussion

In a letter to the council, PADBID Executive Director Rhonda Trusty urged for clearer definitions and stronger operational details regarding the shelter. Trusty warned that vague bylaw language might lead to a loss of control over future projects, asking, “Based on the current tone being used, would it allow for a homeless shelter in the future in the downtown area? Yes or no?”

In addition to the shelter proposal, the council’s agenda for the upcoming meeting includes discussions on other important matters such as a discretionary use permit for a residential care home on 27th Street East, reports on public safety reserves, tax abatements on unserviced land, incentives for new commercial and residential development, and the sale of city lands, including parcels on Hadley Road and SaskEnergy service stations.

The council meeting is scheduled to begin at 14:00 at City Hall, where community voices will likely continue to influence the debate surrounding the proposed shelter and its implications for public safety and local welfare.