New Hope Mission shelter location raises concerns from local outreach group

Hope Mission is opening a new homeless shelter for it’s community this fall, with some local community outreach groups expressing concerns surrounding the new location.

The new 120 bed emergency shelter for Edmonton’s less fortunate will be located in a former electrical wholesale business near Yellowhead Trail and 149 Street. Prior to Edmonton’s city-wide zoning overhaul earlier this year, shelters can now be located all across the city.

Bear Claw Beaver Hills House is an Edmonton based Indigenous led volunteer group serving the community’s less fortunate brothers and sisters. Judith Gale is the leader of the Bear Claw program and spoke to CFWE about some of the difficulties this new facility might face.

The new shelter will have the capabilities to house more than 120 people, however initial conversations with those on the street indicate many won’t travel to the new location amid lack of transportation, safety and other concerns according to Gale.

Although Edmonton continues to put an emphasis on shelters and providing a space for the homeless, Bear Claw did a survey in conjunction with Homeward Trust Edmonton asking those affected by homelessness why they choose to stay on the street during extreme cold or warm conditions when there’s space available in these centres.

CFWE reached out to Hope Mission surrounding the claims, the organization denied to comment however stated:

“Our west side shelter will provide 24/7 shelter services to unhoused community members in our city.
These services will include up to 120 shelter beds per night, with additional wrap-around services such
as housing and medical care. These services will be aimed at helping our most vulnerable neighbor’s
exit homelessness and improve their overall quality of life. We continue to work closely with the City of Edmonton, Government of Alberta, Edmonton Police
Service and other partners to support our community. “

Gale brought up some of the uncomfortable feedback from the less fortunate community, stating increased police presence within the shelter areas doesn’t make them feel welcome, rather makes them feel jailed.

The shelter is scheduled to open in October.