Photo credit: Illinois Times
A permanent shelter for homeless people is almost ready to proceed after Prince Albert City Council voted 6-3 in favour of granting the development permit.
PA NOW reports that about a dozen members of the public attended Monday’s council meeting, but no one chose to speak out in public.
Staff said that concerns raised occasionally during the process that the number of beds would increase over 45 are unfounded, and any increase must be approved by the council.
The director of community services, Craig Guidinger, said, “Under no circumstances would the number of beds go up from 45 without going to city council first.”
Council has already placed multiple checks on the project, including the creation of a contract zone. That means the city made a specific zoning that is under contract with Sask Housing. Conditions on the contract include designing it for crime reduction and having services like referrals to addiction management and support workers for housing be on-site.
Another condition was that there be a continual way to address neighbourhood concerns that might arise later. A neighbourhood support team will be created by the end of November.
While the city is signing deals with Sask Housing as far as land use and ownership go, it will be the Prince Albert Grand Council that operates the shelter. PAGC took over operations of Stepping Stones, the temporary shelter, after the YWCA opted to step aside.
The final step is to sign a servicing agreement with the province.
