CSD report sheds light on local social issues

By Lethbridge Herald on April 20, 2023.

A report by the City's Community Social Development department says the city doesn’t presently have sufficient social infrastructure to deal with the social problems afflicting it. Herald photo by Al Beeber

Al Beeber – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – abeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

A report was presented to the Cultural and Social Standing Policy Committee of city council Thursday about seeing better community outcomes for the homeless.

The report was given by Andrew Malcolm, general manager of the City’s Community Social Development department.

It was an update on the present state of CSD and to provide information on social issues in the city. Another purpose was to reconnect with city council to build a common understanding to guide the next steps in dealing with homelessness in a strategic manner.

According to Malcolm’s report, Lethbridge has one of the highest child poverty rates in Canada and 30 per cent of households live on less than $49,000 per year. The average household income here is $35,000 lower than the provincial average, it notes. And the median household income of $77,883 here is lower than the provincial median average of $98,646.

The numbers of homeless have increased by 150 per cent since 2016 and substance use is rising here, it adds.

The rate of domestic violence in Lethbridge is nearly three times the provincial average while the mortality is 47 per cent higher than the Alberta average. Theft here has increased by 97 per cent over the last five years and there are increasing rates of newborns with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum disorders.

The city also has one of the fastest growing populations of homeless with substance abuse being the No. 1 cause. It also has one of the highest proportions of households “with members who have cognitive, physical, or mental disabilities in Alberta,” says the report.

The report says the top concern of residents in the 2022 community survey were social issues and safety.

While many responsibilities for social issues are the mandates of other levels of government, Malcolm’s report states that “navigating the complaints, concerns and challenges these issues present in the community remains the City’s responsibility to shoulder.”

The report says the city doesn’t presently have sufficient social infrastructure to deal with the social problems afflicting it.

“Cities dedicate significant time, effort, and money to proactively plan and build physical and institutional infrastructure 20+ years in advance, but are reactive with social infrastructure with days, weeks, or months of planning and expected implementation,” it states.

CSD intends to complete a business plan within the next three six months and wants to start the process “in alignment with city council.” 

The core mandate of CSD, says the report, is the administration of funds from the provincial and federal governments. 

“In addition to grant management, we address urgent social issues, such as needle debris and respond to requests from city council and Administration,” says the report noting that Lethbridge – unlike other communities – doesn’t deliver social programs or own/manage affordable and social housing.

As a result in a change to provincial Outreach Support Services Initiative funding the operational budget for CSD has been reduced to about $725,000, a cut of $420,000.

CSD staffing has also been reduced from 15 to seven.

The report says CSD has outgrown the current model/approach and “is not positioned to deliver on expectations.” 

The report says last September’s Point in Time count “underscores the need for additional provisional accommodation in the form of transitional housing and treatment spaces, as well as emergency shelter shelters.”

The 2022 report showed there were 454 homeless here compared to 223 in 2018. It also showed the numbers of unsheltered people rose from seven in 2018 to 235 in 2022.

The report lists several priorities for work involving social issues. At the top of the list are encampments, followed by a sober shelter, comfort centre, shelter, community care campus and a re-write of the City’s land use bylaw.

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