A photo of a homeless camp taken in July. (Photo Courtesy Medicine Hat Police Service)

By Darren Rathwell

Medicine Hat agency raises alarm over local homeless issue

Oct 8, 2021 | 5:01 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – If you believe there are no homeless people in Medicine Hat, there is now evidence to the contrary.

And a local official says the negative results are impacting not only the homeless, but the agencies helping them.

“We’re seeing an increase in the number of individuals that are experiencing homelessness for the first time and also a significant increase in individuals sleeping ‘rough’ and choosing not to go (inside),” Jaime Rogers, manager of homeless and housing development with Medicine Hat Community Housing Society, said.

In June, Medicine Hat became the first city in Canada to functionally end chronic homelessness, meaning three or fewer people experiencing chronic homelessness for three consecutive months.

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But Rogers says there are at least two homeless encampments in Medicine Hat right now, including one at Police Point Park.

“And as much as there is an air of people saying … we’ve ended homelessness actually (we haven’t). We’re always seeing an increase in traffic (from) Highway One.. we’re seeing an increase of people sleeping in (Riverside Veterans’ Memorial) park. We’re seeing a number of new faces in the community as well,” Rogers said.

She adds there is space available in Medicine Hat to house the homeless, and the Salvation Army says there is “significant” space at their shelter in the Flats.

But despite freezing weather this week, some homeless still would rather remain outside.

“We want to actively get people housed and supported before the weather turns, where there’s not that risk of freezing to death, (but) we cannot make people get housed. We can have all the systems in place but we cannot make people get housed,” Rogers said.

She adds the stigma from dealing with the homeless is starting to weigh down agencies involved with them.

“It’s the lack of responsiveness, or the lack of uptake or understanding at a broad-based community level about what we are able to do versus what community wants us to do,” Rogers said.

Meanwhile, the city’s fire department responded early Thursday morning after a homeless person set a fire while trying to stay warm in a field between Dunmore Road and 13th Avenue SE.

The fire was extinguished before it could spread and cause damage.