The Wapiti House in Grande Prairie (Photo: Abby Zieverink / EverythingGP staff)

By Shaun Penner

Helping Winter Operations

Provincial funds to help expand hours, services for Grande Prairie’s vulnerable population

Nov 19, 2021 | 12:12 PM

The city’s Housing and Homeless Initiatives Supervisor says funding pledged by the province to support emergency shelters across Alberta will be a big help for winter operations at the Wapiti House and beyond.

Katherine Schmidt says while they don’t know the exact dollar amount they will be receiving from the $21.5 million program announced Wednesday, they do know it will allow the emergency shelter to remain open 24 hours a day.

“Oftentimes, in previous years, we had shelters that opened up the doors for intakes at 10 o’clock at night, or when it was time for people to come in from the cold,” said Schmidt.

“This funding allows the shelter to be open 24 hours, including evenings, and that will support both Wapiti House, as well as their funded program the Saint Lawrence Centre.”

The funding announced by Premier Jason Kenney Wednesday pegged $13 million for emergency shelter operations in Alberta, as well as another $6.5 million to operate off-site isolation spaces for those who test positive for COVID-19.

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Schmidt says this will help the city continue to provide staffing, supports and food at the site set-up at a hotel in the city.

“So, when we get a phone call, and it can be from the hospital, it can be from Wapiti House, Saint Lawrence Centre or someone in the community that says ‘we have someone that has tested COVID positive and needs to isolate’, and if they are experiencing homelessness, we have a place for them.”

Understanding the funding is only temporary, Schmidt says it could not come at a better time, as the winter is when demand for homeless services and supports peaks in the city.

“What this is going to do is get us through the winter months, allow us to provide the best supports possible for individuals.”

The remaining $2 million announced Wednesday has been tabbed to support emergency shelters for those fleeing domestic violence.

READ MORE: Province granting $21.5 million to homeless, women shelters