Shelter expansion will more than double capacity

By Lethbridge Herald on March 24, 2025.

Crews continue work on the expansion of the Wellness Shelter and Stabilization Unit as reporters were invited to look at the progress being made on Monday morning. Herald photo by Alexandra Noad

Alexandra Noad – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Lethbridge Wellness Shelter is undergoing an expansion of almost 16,000 sq. feet and while there has been delays, the contractors are working to have it finished as soon as possible.

The current shelter capacity is 90 beds, though it has been forced at times to accommodate more than 250 people.

The expansion will allow for a total of 200 beds and the current shelter area will be renovated into office spaces for programs, allowing the sleeping area to be separate from the programming area to better serve the unhoused population.

Robin James, chief administrative officer for Lethbridge Housing Authority, says with the expanded space for the programming, they hope to secure the funding to create a navigation-type centre similar to those in Calgary and Edmonton.

“We’re hoping over time we will be able to access some of that funding and have some ability for the Blood Tribe Department of Health to be able to that navigation supports here in their shelter,” says James. “They’ve got all of the skill set, they’ve got the right team in place, so we’re hoping that this will be the first step in making that happen.”

Along with creating a space where the unhoused can access services they need, they wanted to make a space that is comfortable and safe for people who need the shelter.

To that end, they have added many accommodations, including a room where people accessing the shelter can put their belongings into a bin with their name on it, and a staff member will make sure it stays safe during their stay. This will also prevent dangerous items from being brought into the shelter.

They also have half-walls set up so people will have a little bit of privacy as they are sleeping, while the shelter will have a bird’s eye view security station that will also be equipped with cameras to monitor those sleeping. Staff will also monitor the floor to make sure everyone is safe.

They have also updated their washrooms to include showers and have added accessible washrooms as they serve many elderly people who are unhoused.

James says they wanted to make the individuals feel comfortable, but also have the supports in place for them to be able to integrate back into society.

“It was designed so that individuals that are struggling and experiencing homelessness have a nice comfortably uncomfortable place to stay. We want them here, we want them to be secure, but we also want to transition them through the hosing continuum and get them where they need to go.”

Suzanne Buchanan, director of the Lethbridge Wellness Shelter and Stabilization Unit, says the shelter expansion will make a vital difference for the city, as the Blood Tribe Department of Health has seen a steady increase since it took over the shelter in 2023.

“We need more space, right now we are very jammed and just trying to make sure we have a safe space for people to continue their recovery journey is really important.”

Buchanan adds that the Blood Tribe Department of Health takes people on a case-by-case situation to assess what they need.

“We really take a case-by-case basis approach with each person, they are citizens of Lethbridge, so we want to make sure they find what they need within our resources here at the shelter.”

With the added square footage and the increase of people using the shelter, Buchanan says there will be a staffing increase to keep up with the demand of programs along with ensuring the safety of the individuals.

“There will be an increase of staffing and we’ve left it in a situation where we can actually increase as demand occurs, so as we build services and programs into our current base program, that allows us for increase in staffing as well,” she says. “Obviously with an increase of square footage there would be a baseline increase of staffing too, so we’re pretty excited about that as well.”

The shelter expansion has received much excitement along with curiosity from the unhoused population as they have not seen the inside yet.

In total the expansion will cost about $5 million, which is above the original $4 million dollars, but they were able secure the funding from the ministry.

Through the collaboration of both Lethbridge Housing Authority and Blood Tribe Department of Health, there is hope to help those experiencing homelessness to move through the housing continuum and not just leave them in homelessness.