Expansion in sight for local crisis shelter

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

The lack of affordable housing in rural communities has translated to longer stays for families at the Wheatland Crisis Society this summer, forcing staff to turn away hundreds of family members and pulling at the public purse strings to assist those in need.
Currently, the emergency shelter can accommodate 25 beds for 21-day stays at a cost of $9,324 per family of three – money that’s funded through the Alberta government.
A lack of available and inexpensive housing in Strathmore resulted in several extended stays that in part meant 157 adults and 124 children for the 2017-18 fiscal year had to find shelter elsewhere. The cost per family extending their stay increased by another $4,440 for an additional 10 days – an amount, staff said that, could provide accommodations for six months or more at a second-stage house strategy.
Wheatland Crisis Society is concentrating on providing a second-stage housing opportunity in Strathmore that would provide independent apartment-style housing at a subsidized rate, and ensuring a safe, secure and supported environment for a maximum stay of two years. Because no further financial aid from the provincial government is expected, the emergency shelter is exploring public-private partnerships as a fiscally responsible option.
“The general public is probably appalled that it costs $10,000 to stay here for 21 days … and once the work is done it doesn’t make sense to keep someone here longer than they need to be here,” said Wheatland Crisis Society CEO Wanda McGinnis.
“I think the timing is really ripe right now and I think we need to look at something different. If we were to take those extension stays and turn that into a subsidized rent model, how much better use could we put that money to. We know we’re likely not going to be getting operational monies to start with, and we know that a second stage is going to take some operational money. So, to limit the strain on fundraising, we’re looking at how we can make this make the most sense.”
The per diem of $148 per bed per night assures an individual has access to risk management, safety planning, court orders, life skills, employment options, parenting support, financial assistance and supportive counselling.
Currently, the crisis shelter operates out of a 7,000 sq. ft. facility that prides itself on its inclusive shelter practices: welcoming men as well as members of the LGBTQ+ community.
According to McGinnis, this has been one of the busiest summers in the past few years as her staff members answered 300 phone calls a month for a total of 28,000 minutes, and rushed to change bedding and clean rooms before another family occupied the space.
Last year, the society conducted a needs assessment with clients residing at the shelter that resulted from longer shelter stays for families. A total of 61 per cent of the families indicated they would want to take part in a second-stage housing strategy.
As a result, the society is meeting on Sept. 15 to discuss possible options and strategic priorities moving forward.
“We’re going to kick off a big capital campaign once we really know what it is we’re looking for. We’re keen on our public-private partnership model that really incorporates some of our businesses or organizations that our clients need,” said McGinnis.
“Right now we’re working hard to try and engage the community and the various levels of government to at least be on board with what we’re talking about and why we’re talking about it. We’re not project managers, we’re not developers, so we really need to engage those people who are professionals in those areas to help guide us. Key to all of that is the community needs to understand why an emergency shelter isn’t enough for some families and why they need to move on to something that’s still supported and safe and secure.”
She added that some options include an apartment-style building containing subsidized and regular market value units to offset the costs, or a building that can incorporate the Wheatland Crisis Society in one part while offering the subsidized independent living on the other side.
So far no decisions have yet been made, and the society will have a better understanding after their meeting at the middle of the month.
“Have we outgrown the facility? We’re strained in here. Can we keep doing the work we’re doing? We absolutely can keep doing it, but I think it make sense to look at expanding and what kind of a facility would make the most sense.”