Rural homelessness

Times Contributor   

 

Pastor Dawn Nelson at the Lord of All Lutheran Church said her work with people in the Strathmore community tells her there is a rural homelessness problem.

“The need is high. Not enough facilities are available. We definitely need more supportive housing,” Nelson said.

She has dealt with about 25 to 30 cases of homelessness a year. They are comprised of individuals, couples or families with housing and food issues. Sometimes individuals are just passing through town, and vouchers are supplied for a meal, a hotel room, gas or cab fare, taking them back to Calgary. With the rising costs associated with maintaining housing, she knows of people who have made the choice to live on the street, one or two sleeping in dumpsters, or their vehicles. She said sometimes there are health or psychiatric issues.

“We can’t force them into care unless they are a danger to themselves or others. They have given up, are tired of struggling, or just don’t have any self-worth left. Churches contribute the best that we can,” said Nelson, who often gets referrals by church members. “We try to be out there. Right now, if there is a need, we will rise to meet it.” 

She said the Lutheran church has a school mitten program and they support and work with the Food Bank. They also host a Christmas Turkey Dinner. Nelson said that each church in Strathmore has outreach programs that deal with similar issues. Nelson said there are agencies in town to help with housing, but often they have waiting lists.

People with core incomes less than provincially set guidelines can apply to Wheatland Housing for rent subsidy, under the Community and Seniors Self Contained Housing, Direct Rent Subsidy and Private Landlord Subsidy programs. Applications are downloaded from the website www.wheatlandhousing.com, or picked up at Wheatland lodge. Rents are based on 30 per cent of total household income.

“There is always a demand and a waiting list for community housing. Right now there are no vacancies and three families are on the waitlist and I am receiving more applications daily. There are seven seniors on the waitlist for various areas,” said Tracy Kemp, Wheatland Housing Management Manager.

Homeless situations due to family violence are covered for the short term by the Wheatland Community Crisis Shelter. See www.wheatland.albertashelters.com  

Pastor Nelson would like to see all the programs offered by area churches or agencies coordinated. She thinks there may be gaps that people are falling through, in their search for a roof over their heads, a warm safe space and nourishing meals for themselves and their families.

Both Strathmore and Wheatland FCSS coordinators are gathering information from the community about whether there is a need and how to address it. 

The Alberta Rural Development Network (ARDN) is also hoping to solve the issue by offering a total of $424,625 towards homelessness programs.

“ARDN believes that rural and remote Albertans at risk of homelessness face unique issues that require unique solutions,” says Dee Ann Benard, Executive Director of ARDN. “It’s our goal to engage these at-risk rural Albertans and provide them appropriate supports so they do not become or remain homeless.”