Council needs to provide services and options for the vulnerable in Lethbridge

By Lethbridge Herald on January 18, 2023.

Editor:

I was not surprised to read that mayor Hyggen, and councillors Dodic and Middleton-Hope had voted against funding Streets Alive to create 24-hour shelter. 

After all they haven’t been very empathetic to the needs of the homeless. However, I was shocked to read the interview with Mr. Kissick when he stated that the City had asked Streets Alive to set up a 24-hour shelter. You ask them to do your job but refuse to fund them, especially when most of the funding is federal?

 Last summer, the City started discussions about creating a sober shelter in the Civic Centre. Instead of continuing that plan, the homeless were driven out of the Civic Centre encampment and the sober shelter was put on hold.

Fortunately, Streets Alive have been there to care for the vulnerable for tens of years. It’s time for all of city council to step up to the plate and plan to provide a variety of services and housing options for this vulnerable part of our community. You have personnel with ideas, such as Robin James of Supportive Housing Planning, as a starting point.  Listen to them.

Frances Schultz

Lethbridge