Red Deer City Council addressed emergency housing and recovery services at today’s meeting, reviewing a Development Permit application and proposed amendments to the Zoning Bylaw. This discussion comes after the Province's recent announcement to expand recovery support services in Red Deer.
“These adjustments will help ensure a sustained emphasis on recovery-oriented care as the Province plans for more permanent housing and emergency shelter solutions in our city.” said City Manager Tara Lodewyk. “Our city, like many others across the country, continues to face complex challenges in addressing the needs of vulnerable populations in our community.”
Today, City Council passed first reading of a Zoning Bylaw Amendment, which if approved, enables consideration through a Development Permit, the following:
- Removal of permission for supervised consumption services at 5233 54 Avenue.
- Extension of the temporary shelter at 5239 53 Avenue, allowing it to remain in operation until May 2028.
- Expansion of the site to add emergency shelter as a use into an adjacent unit at the temporary shelter site (5239 53 Avenue) for the upcoming winter season.
- Additional capacity for detox and overnight shelter at 5246 53 Avenue.
With first reading complete, a public hearing and consideration of second and third reading will be held at City Council’s regular meeting on December 2, 2024.
In addition to the Zoning Bylaw Amendment considered by Council today, they also approved a Development Permit enabling Recovery Alberta to operate a Mobile Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (M-RAAM) Clinic in the parking lot at 5256 53 Avenue, where the current overdose prevention site (OPS) is located. Alberta Health Services applied for the permit, and since the service falls under Health and Medical Services, it is a permitted use, requiring no additional zoning adjustments.
With this permit approved, Recovery Alberta will begin offering services on December 1, 2024. Initially, both the M-RAAM Clinic and OPS will operate on the site; however, the Province indicates OPS services will wind down between December 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025.
According to Recovery Alberta, the M-RAAM will provide clients with everything from addiction recovery medications to primary health care assessments and connection to services for addiction, mental health and social services. There will not be a space available for clients to use pre-obtained drugs at the M-RAAM.
Though presented in two separate reports, these items are interrelated and essential to supporting Recovery Alberta’s plan, which includes:
- A Mobile Rapid Access Addiction Medicine (M-RAAM) Clinic operated by Recovery Alberta in the parking lot at 5256 53 Avenue, where the current OPS is located.
- A Dynamic Overdose Response Team with paramedics and licensed practical nurses to monitor the Safe Harbour shelter and surrounding areas.
- Recovery coaches providing outreach services around the temporary shelter.
- Enhanced medically supported detox services to support more individuals beginning their recovery journeys.
“Red Deer City Council is continually making decisions that demonstrate a commitment to supporting addiction recovery and housing. The decisions before City Council right now are complex, impactful, and important. There is no one solution, and it will take coordinated efforts to lay the foundation for sustainable solutions that meet the needs of all Red Deer citizens.”
More information about the Province’s plan to expand recovery support in Red Deer can be found on their website at www.alberta.ca with details provided in a news release distributed by the Province on September 23, 2024.
Citizens who want to submit comments for the Zoning Bylaw Amendment Public Hearing on December 2, 2024, can do so by attending in person at City Hall on December 2 or by visiting www.reddeer.ca/publichearing for more information.
Citizens can watch the upcoming City Council meeting online or view the agendas and minutes at www.reddeer.ca/citycouncil.