Temporary Shelter
Currently located in the Cannery Row building (5239 53 Avenue), the temporary emergency shelter is operated by Safe Harbour Society and funded by the Province of Alberta.
Background Information
The following information is related to The City processes that have taken place since the temporary emergency housing opened in March 2020:
- April 29, 2025 - Development Permit for emergency shelter at Cannery Row approved until May 2026
- December 18, 2023 - City Council approves development permit for temporary shelter
- December 4, 2023 - Site exception approved for temporary shelter
- October 30, 2023 - Public Hearing to be held for site extension of temporary shelter
- October 26, 2023 - Rezoning extension application received for temporary shelter
- January 31, 2022 - Mitigation strategies approved to support extension of operations at temporary
- January 18, 2022 - Extension approved for temporary shelter
- December 6, 2021 - Public Hearing set for Land Use Bylaw amendment for temporary emergency housing
- December 1, 2021 - Council focuses on long-term solution to housing and homelessness.
- July 20, 2021: Rezoning extension application for temporary shelter denied during Regular Council Meeting.
- July 6, 2021: Rezoning extension application received for temporary shelter.
- June 21, 2021: Council directs administration to explore land purchasing opportunities to relocate the temporary emergency shelter.
- June 18, 2021: Council to receive update on site options for temporary emergency shelter
- May 26, 2021: Council approves extension of operations of interim shelter at current location until September 30, 2021 and issue mitigation tactics for Railyards neighbourhood.
- May 21, 2021: Public Hearing followed by considerations to extend interim shelter operations at current location.
- April 29, 2021: First reading passed to extend interim shelter operations at Cannery Row.
- April 29, 2021: Council to consider extension for interim shelter at Cannery Row.
- April 7, 2021: Council supports interim shelter, directs administration to find alternative location.
- March 29, 2021: Temporary shelter to operate for two more months at current location.
Resources related to permanent shelter process:
- February 27, 2026: Council unanimously approves rezoning that could allow future shelter at 7740 40
- February 3, 2026: Understanding Council’s February 3 Decision on 7740 40 Avenue
- December 2, 2024: City Council passes Zoning Bylaw Amendment to enable provincial plan for emergen
- November 12, 2024: City Council takes steps to enable Provincial plan for Emergency Housing
- September 23, 2024: Province of Alberta announces plan to expand recovery support in Red Deer. More information can be found on their website at alberta.ca, with details provided in a news release distributed by the Province on September 23, 2024.
- September 28, 2023: The City of Red Deer continues to work with the Province of Alberta to site and plan for the development of a purpose-built integrated shelter in our community
- March 23, 2023: Call for privately owned properties for consideration during shelter site select
- February 3, 2023: Live Update: Shelter: an update to the community
- February 3, 2023: Council to continue path forward with shelter site selection process
- February 3, 2023: An open letter to my community
- October 11, 2022: City formally recommends site for future shelter in Red Deer
- September 29, 2022: City and Province of Alberta continue discussion about potential site for future shelter in Red Deer
- September 26, 2022: City to meet with Province of Alberta tomorrow about future shelter site
- September 12, 2022: Potential future shelter site selected by Council
- August 12, 2022: Potential shelter site list going to Council on Monday
- July 20, 2022: Call for privately owned properties for consideration during shelter site select
- July 18, 2022: Shelter site selection process moves to next phase
- July 4, 2022: Council approves Shelter Site Evaluation Matrix
- June 27, 2022: Council defines site criteria
- June 24, 2022: Council begins outlining list of site criteria for permanent shelter
- June 20, 2022: City Council to set special meeting to determine site criteria
- June 18, 2022: Permanent Shelter What We Heard Report released
- What we heard: Analysis of May 25 to June 10 input opportunities (pdf)
- Updated Heat Map displaying previously considered sites for permanent shelter (pdf)
- Site Report - Additional potential site for permanent shelter (pdf)
- May 24, 2022: Public input opportunities for permanent shelter site criteria start tomorrow
- Permanent Shelter Report Summary (pdf)
- History of Permanent Shelter Report (pdf)History of Permanent Shelter Report (pdf)
- May 10, 2022: Public input opportunities for permanent shelter site criteria start tomorrow
- May 5, 2022: Council to consider public participation and advocacy options for permanent shel
- April 11, 2022: Confidential permanent shelter information released; next steps approved
- March 7, 2022: Development of public engagement plan on permanent shelter approved
- March 4, 2022: Council to review report and consider next steps with permanent shelter
- March 3, 2022: What We Heard report (pdf)
- February 28, 2022: Council meeting set to review full report on permanent shelter community convers
- January 22, 2022: Potential location selected for permanent emergency shelter, Map of potential permanent shelter location (pdf)
- November 2020: Memorandum of Understanding signed by The City of Red Deer and Government of Alberta (pdf)