An artist's concept of what the Stonebridge Hotel would look like once it is converted into permanent supportive housing for the homeless. Photo from a report compiled by City of Grande Prairie staff.

By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

City officials say plans for homeless facilities always draw opposition

Jul 14, 2021 | 5:30 AM

City officials acknowledge there is not likely anywhere a facility designed to house those dealing with homelessness could be placed without generating opposition.

Council approved buying the Stonebridge Hotel to convert it into a permanent supportive housing hub, known as the Coordinated Care Campus, at Monday’s meeting. The city would borrow $15.5 million to buy and renovate the building.

Councillor Dylan Bressey says at the same time, residents near the Stonebridge have told him homelessness is already having an impact in their neighbourhood.

“Just like I am in every other neighbourhood across Grande Prairie,” said Bressey.

“Actually getting people out of chronic homelessness is how we’re going to decrease what people are seeing in their community, not just community-wide, but also in this particular neighbourhood.”

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Director of Protective & Social Services Chris Manuel says this is something he and his team will be paying attention to.

“We’ve made statements. We’ve made promises to individuals that we will be responsive, that we are going to listen to concerns that we are going to try and address and be proactive with things.

“Now we’ve got to follow through with that.”

Manuel adds supportive housing like this is the biggest missing piece in what he describes as a “system of care”

“Between this project and that Fletcher project, the two of those coming online, are going to address that gap, and address it not in a topical way but in a real substantial one,” he said.

“So, what that allows us to do is truly address chronic homelessness. Chronic homelessness is what is costing us the most money, drawing the most resources, and having the most impact on the individual.”

The Fletcher project is located in the former Helma Fletcher building, also the former Grande Prairie Long-Term Centre, on 98 Street near City Hall. It would have 44 supportive housing units and staff on site 24 hours a day.

A report compiled by city administration says there would be 120 residential units in the Stonebridge with up to 36 being occupied by August. A planned phased approach calls for up 78 rooms occupied by this winter, with all 120 having someone in them by next spring.

There would also be a lobby, kitchen, dining room, and areas for programming and recreation.

The rest of the space would be for offices. The city’s Community Social Development department and Enforcement Services could re-locate by fall, depending on the pace of renovations. The report says those two plus the Northreach Society have conditionally committed to relocating to the Stonebridge with the Canadian Mental Health Association also expressing interest.

Council and administration talked about the possibility of selling the old downtown fire hall and the City on 99th building if Community Social Development and Enforcement Services relocate.

Residents at the Stonebridge would be expected to pay $700 a month in rent. Those who don’t have income supports could do work in lieu of paying rent. Other revenue would come from commercial leases and federal or provincial homeless initiatives programs. Projections for the first year show the facility operating at a deficit of $171,087 in 2022, $189,124 by 2026.

Many on council expect having this facility will lessen the need for the homeless to have dealings with the police or have to go to the emergency room. The report cites a 2013 study out of Calgary that showed a 95 per cent reduction in incarcerations, a 45 per cent drop in police interactions, 47 per cent fewer calls for an ambulance, and a 33 per cent drop in emergency room visits among 176 of that city’s Housing First clients surveyed.

The report also says that as part of due diligence, consultants were hired to appraise the property, assess the condition of the building, and to help pursue funding under federal government housing initiatives.

That report also identifies sources of funding besides the borrowing to buy and renovate the building and commercial leases. These include the federal government’s National Housing Strategy, The Green Municipal Fund administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and social enterprises like food services and retail. These would come in future phases of the project.