Conditions at central Alberta homeless camp continue to deteriorate: outreach group
Posted Nov 11, 2021 4:15 pm.
Last Updated Nov 11, 2021 4:19 pm.
According to an outreach group, the conditions at a homeless camp in a central Alberta city are continuing to get worse week-by-week.
Currently, there are upwards of 60 people who have been sleeping in the camp in Wetaskiwin, southeast of Edmonton, after the city closed the only homeless shelter back in August.
Risks such as inadequate sources of warmth, shelter, food and safety concerns continue to be identified in the camp.
The Open Door Association says its funding from Wetaskiwin Family and Community Support Services was paused without notice in mid-August.
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Despite this, staff have continued to provide clients with medications and provisions, but Open Door says it can no longer afford it.
A decision was made to end services last month.
Since then, Open Door’s executive director Jessica Hutton says clients’ physical and mental health is declining.
There are also concerns about below freezing temperatures overnight and snow in the forecast.
The city says it is in the process of procuring warming trailers for the site, but no plans have been finalized.
