Lac La Biche County councillors could be spending $60,000 this year to set up a temporary homeless encampment on municipally-owned property in the nearby Bonesville subdivision. Of that total, more than $50,000 will go towards three-times-a-day transport from the camp to the Lac La Biche hamlet five kilometres away.
Working with the Metis Nation of Alberta Region 1 office, Lac La Biche County councillors and administration have been negotiating a plan for a temporary homeless camp that would offer a one-year, one-dollar lease of the property as well as the use of a Porta-potty with an annual cost estimated at about $4,800, a dumpster estimated at $3,600 for the year, and the transportation costs of $50,000 for a driver and fuel. The Bonesville subdivision is home to approximately 25 rural homes. The land selected for the camp is said to be surrounded by wooded public lands.
The agreement, which is expected to be voted on at the July 13 meeting, will also include insurance to cover general liability of $5 million. If approved, the agreement will run from July 13 of this year to July 12 of 2022.
Funds for the project will come from the 2021 and 2022 Lac La Biche County municipal operating budget.
Solutions needed
The homeless issue was highlighted in the community in recent months when occupants of an encampments in a wooded area on privately-owned property south of the Lac La Biche downtown were removed and their ‘tent city’ was torn down. The downtown location was the latest in a series of areas where similar encampments had been removed by municipal officials.
In the weeks and months that have followed, local MNA officials have met with provincial and municipal leaders to find a solution — short-term and long-term — to the issue of available and appropriate housing in the community.
The idea to create an encampment was initiated by local MNA officials who say many of the camp occupants don’t want to be surrounded by the confines of bricks and mortar and prefer nature as it is part of their tradition and culture. Initial suggestions from the MNA were to fence-in the occupants, bring in social service needs and offer them a location withing walking distance of municipal amenities.
Temporary fit
According to municipal documents to be discussed at the upcoming meeting, the agreement is intended to be a temporary, providing a stable location for the homeless population until the ongoing municipal Transitional Housing Project is fully functional.
Officials with the Metis National of Alberta Region 1 office will take responsibility for ensuring residents of the camp maintain order, and that the camp will meet the Community Standards Bylaw.
If approved, the agreement also includes a list of rules that camp occupants will have to follow. The rules include the restriction of firearms, or dangerous, flammable or explosive materials. The rules also say that all occupants must be registered through the MNA office and be respectful of neighbouring business, facilities and the general public.
Options
While the agreement decision is on the council agenda, the decision on the issue has not been officially determined. In the briefing to council, like with all other reports to council, administration has provided options for approval, rejection and delaying the decision until more information is gathered.
The camp discussion is slated to be discussed as the last part of the meeting’s public agenda.
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