The Mustard Seed in Medicine Hat said Thursday it’s preparing to add 20 temporary shelter spaces to its Flats neighbourhood location at the request of the Alberta government.
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The additions to its Community Impact Centre on Allowance Avenue Southeast aim to provide safe, warm shelter for vulnerable individuals during the winter months, the organization said.
Dave Conrad, Senior Director of Community & Volunteer Engagement with The Mustard Seed, said that the shelter expansion is not permanent.
“Across the country right now there are a lot of individuals who have nowhere to go,” said Conrad.
“As the winter continues and as temperatures continue to drop, it can be a very dangerous situation when you can’t find a space inside to sleep,” he added.
“We’re responding to take care of those who are most vulnerable in our community.”
The Mustard Seed is also working with the city and province to develop a long-term plan that aims to centralize services at a single location for more effective support.
The organization’s shelter space was already at maximum capacity so there was a strong need for support, the organization’s CEO James Gardiner said in a statement.
“While this expansion is a temporary solution, The Mustard Seed remains committed to its vision of eliminating homelessness and reducing poverty,” Gardiner said.
“We are dedicated to continuing our efforts to support the most vulnerable members of our community.”
In October, Medicine Hat was not named among four Alberta cities primed to receive provincially cost-matched federal funding to urgently address homelessness as temperatures dropped.
CHAT News has requested comment from the Alberta government.
The city posted a public notice Wednesday about a development permit application from the Mustard Seed that requested rezoning its building from “community services” to “community shelter” and “community social service” classifications.
