A site criteria evaluation matrix will be built by City Council before July 4, 2022, after they voted unanimously for all nine members of Council to work together on the development of the matrix at today’s City Council meeting. The site criteria evaluation matrix will then be used to inform a decision about the location for a future permanent shelter in Red Deer.
“Determining a site for a permanent shelter is a priority for our council, and building the criteria for selecting a site is an important step in the process,” said Mayor Ken Johnston. “We appreciate the vital input that Red Deerians have given us so far. Over the last month, our community has weighed in with different perspectives and genuine empathy. I want thank everyone who has participated in the public consultation to date, for their communication with City staff, and Council alike. Our community is asking us for a sustainable solution that has vision over the long-term, as we look to support an integrated purpose-built shelter in Red Deer.”
City Council’s decision comes on the heels of public consultation held between May 25 and June 10, 2022. During this time, The City connected with the community to collect input through an online survey, in-person facilitated sessions and via email. Through this consultation, 824 citizens participated in the conversation.
Some of the top themes coming out of this consultation include everything from impacts to surrounding neighbourhoods, the need for integrated services and the need to protect recreational spaces and natural habitats, to name a few.
“Throughout the process, the community has come to the table in important ways to contribute to the conversation and to tell us what matters to them and why,” said City Manager Tara Lodewyk. “This next step is about supporting City Council through their decision-making process as they consider how they utilize this information to inform development of the site criteria evaluation matrix and work to determine the site for a future permanent shelter in our city.”
The full “What We Heard Report” is posted to The City’s website under resources.
More information about the Permanent Shelter Project can also be found on The City’s website under www.reddeer.ca/shelter.
For more information, contact:
Corporate Communications
The City of Red Deer