Lethbridge city council approved $480,000 in federal Reaching Home grant money to be used for four different initiatives. This includes $170,000 to purchase two new vans for the Diversion Outreach Team (DOT).
During council’s July 11 meeting, councillor John Middleton-Hope requested the four initiatives be voted on separately. He expressed concern at the price tag of up to $200,000 attached to a needs assessment and strategic updates to the Community Wellbeing and Safety Strategy and Municipal Housing Strategy. He, along with three other councillors voted against the allocation.
“I am kind of separating this in my mind into two parts — the need for the project and the cost and I agree I find the cost is high, but I also find the need for the project is very high. We know housing is one of our most important things we are working on, we know we have social issues in this community that we have to work on. We also know that the pandemic changed a lot of things, some of the assumptions we had prior to the pandemic are not in play now,” said councillor Belinda Crowson during debate. “I think that it is absolutely vital that when we are looking at such incredibly important issues, that we have the most up to date and accurate information.
Part of the approval includes $90,000 annually over four years to fund a support navigator position at the e Lethbridge Wellness Shelter and Stabilization Unit. According to city administration, the position will work with people staying in the shelter to connect them to housing and other supports.
The final initiative is up to $20,000 as a one-time cost to host a community-wide Integrated Coordinated Access Engagement Service Fair.
None of the funds approved will come from municipal taxes and administration said there is still about $200,000 left in the Reaching Home funds. This must be allocated before the end of March in 2024.
BACKGROUND: Council to look at allocating $170,000 from federal grant money for new DOT vans
