Location matters for facility to help addicts and homeless

By Letter to the Editor on April 10, 2021.

Editor: The Mustard Seed (MS) has twice tried to set up services in Lethbridge and twice has been defeated. For many, this was welcome news. While we recognize the importance of helping the homeless, drug addicts and alcoholics it’s important to ensure that whatever organization comes in, that we don’t end up with variations of ARCHES on our hands or that problems are spread to other parts of the city. Location matters and that was a big factor in why so many objected to MS’s application.
Currently problems are localized in the downtown area with many agencies providing help to the approx. 150 homeless. Had MS considered this and found a building close to downtown (soup kitchen/shelter area) the outcome might have been different. Rather; MS seemed to believe location didn’t matter to us, nor; how under direct control they would operate because, after all, they are in the ‘helping’ business. This attitude was confirmed several months ago when they announced plans to purchase and rezone Ramada Inn on Mayor Magrath Dr. and 13 Ave. S (Lakeview/Henderson Lake area) for a supportive housing complex/sober shelter. When federal tax dollars didn’t come through, they found a new location: 13 St. S. and 2nd Ave. S. close to Earl’s Restaurant (Westminster neighborhood). Either location would have spread the problem but it didn’t faze MS in the least in spite of huge public outcry.
Nor did MS seem to care that the areas they were hoping to occupy would need patrolling similar to downtown that The Watch provides which costs taxpayers over $600,000 per year.
This attitude is problematic and needs to be reigned in. Acknowledging that MS caters to a clientele known to bring problems to an entire area is a starting point. Their type of business is NOT a ‘normal’ business like a coffee shop or clothing store and therefore should not be processed as such. I hope the City will consider amending the application process to reflect this and heed the call for a community based Master Plan. IF developed it could serve as a framework for MS and other agencies guidelines to keep our community safe while at the same time ideas for integrated services that would be of real benefit to the homeless.
Rena Woss
Lethbridge