More funding coming for area shelter

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

New provincial funding will help the Strathmore Overnight Shelter continue to expand its usual support to help people experiencing homelessness during the ongoing pandemic.

On Aug. 5, the provincial government announced an additional $48 million in funding to provide support for people affected by homelessness during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The funding supplements $25 million provided by the province in March.

In Alberta, homeless shelters represent the first line of contact for people needing shelter. The funding will help people experiencing homelessness during the pandemic shelter in place, isolate and access care, and receive health support, according to a government news release.

The extra provincial funding has allowed the Strathmore Overnight Shelter (SOS) to meet costs associated with extending its hours, said executive director Elizabeth Karp. Providing 24/7 support has required the shelter to hire more people and provide extra food and supplies, she said.

COVID-19 restrictions have been hard on the shelter’s client base.

“Usually, they can hang out at the library or at places like Tim Hortons, but even now, in the extreme heat, it’s extremely difficult for them to be in a place,” said Karp, who added the temporary funding helps them have a place to be during the day.

While homelessness may seem like an urban problem, it affects rural areas too. A report by the Alberta Rural Development Network (ARDN) published in April estimates that about 0.4 per cent of Alberta’s rural population is experiencing homelessness, based on surveys conducted in 2018.

Homelessness in rural areas may be less visible, with people living in cars, tents or abandoned buildings, said ARDN executive director Dee Ann Benard in a story published in the Calgary Herald in May.

The report also estimates that about one per cent of rural Albertans have unstable housing,  meaning they have difficulty paying rent, spend most of their income on housing, move frequently, live in overcrowded conditions, or are doubling up with friends or relatives.

Whether the COVID-19 has increased the demand for services at SOS is “hard to say,” and will depend on how long the pandemic lasts, said Karp. But it has been difficult to refer clients to more permanent living arrangements. “It’s been really hard to connect my people into any place.”

The shelter is seeking volunteers to assist with laundry, intake, communicating with clients and preparing meals. There are two shifts running from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 10 p.m. to 7 a.m., respectively. 

The SOS is also seeking personal protective equipment, such as masks and gloves. “We have a hard time getting it,” said Karp. “Everybody’s out, so it’s hard for us to get all of that.

“We have some right now because I have a great volunteer who runs all over the city trying to find stuff.”