In an effort to address homelessness, including in rural communities, the Smith government says it plans to implement a new coordinated approach that will see grant administration changed in 2025.
With Alberta’s population expected to grow at a brisk pace in the new year, the number of residents of all ages without permanent housing, including in this district, may also continue to increase.
Whether the government and its stakeholder partners will be able to prevent a deepening of the homelessness situation that has arisen in recent years remains to be seen.
What is certain is that rural Alberta does not want to find itself in the position of many B.C. and Ontario communities where homelessness has reached crisis levels.
By designating the coordination of supports to the government, the province hopes to be in a better position to address homelessness-related issues at the community level, says Jason Nixon, Sundre-area MLA and minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services.
“We are seeing increases in rural homelessness and challenges that we’ve never seen before,” said Nixon. “There needs to be more province-wide planning and increased oversight and accountability of supports provided to Albertans at risk of experiencing homelessness.
“Today we are seeing increased needs for homeless supports in rural Alberta and smaller communities that will require different support and different services than we use in larger cities. And we are also seeing more and more pressure from the drug epidemic.”
As part of its update to addressing the homelessness issue, the province is also establishing an expert panel.
“This panel will provide strategic advice on homelessness with an increased focus on Indigenous peoples, homelessness in rural communities, addiction recovery, housing, and a connection to broader social services and health-care systems,” he said.
While homelessness has traditionally been seen largely in urban centres, the rise of homelessness in smaller rural communities is a very troubling trend.
Hopefully, the government and stakeholder partners will be able to make good headway on this pressing community issue in 2025.
Dan Singleton is an editor with the Albertan.
