A June 16 presentation to Lloydminster council regarding the mobile warming shelter outlined last year’s success and details of operation.
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In 2024, a point-in-time count showed 60 unsheltered individuals living in the community. Last year, without a warming shelter in place, the city committed $100,000 from a reserve to fund the van. This ensured anyone without shelter in the frigid Lloydminster winter would have somewhere to stay warm.
“The mobile warming shelter was activated 28 times between Jan. 2 and March 15, with the longest consecutive activation being Feb. 1 to Feb. 19,” said Patrick Lancaster, manager of social programs and services, City of Lloydminster.
“On average, we would see 27 individuals served per night, with the lowest being 24 and the highest being 30.”
A pair of complaints was received related to individuals disembarking from the van. The city, however, also received some positive feedback.
“The city and partners did not receive any reports of casualties caused by extreme weather over the course of this program,” said Lancaster.
The city indicated several businesses and organizations appreciated the van as it provided an option when they had to ask individuals to leave their property in extreme conditions.
A breakdown of how the funds were used was also presented.
“The total cost for 28 activations was $61,924.69. Forty-eight per cent (went) to driver security and agency support. Fifty-two per cent (went) to vehicle rental,” said Lancaster.
A total of 62 per cent of the budget was used. Remaining funds stayed in the reserve.
The city also pursued funding opportunities but were unsuccessful.
“We’ve submitted funding first at a provincial level and we were directed to connect with the federal government,” said Lancaster.
“The federal government indicated they have reaching homes programs administered by the rural development network in Alberta and the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan on the Saskatchewan side. The rural development network applications were closed, but we are in contact with them. There is an opportunity to look towards that for the future.
“In regards to the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, they will not provide funding to municipalities, but there could potentially be an application if done jointly with a non-profit organization.”
Program partners made several recommendations for consideration if the program operates again. Adjusting the hours to be from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. Lowering the threshold to -25 C with windchill. Rotation of staff and volunteers, providing access to washroom facilities and daytime operation were included.
Coun. Justin Vance spoke to the success of the program.
“I think overall, it was a success just from looking at these numbers,” he said. “Seeing there was no fatalities during the warming bus, those are good to see. Obviously, it’s not a situation we want to have every winter to have to do a warming bus. We’d like to see a more permanent solution.”
No further progress has been made as far as what this winter looks like.
“With the program, it could potentially be delivered in the same manner the next go around,” said Lancaster.
Tracy Simpson, executive manager of community development services, said groups were waiting on the decision of the land use bylaw before proceeding.
“There was significant changes in the way not just shelters, but warming spaces, could be operated,” she said about the land use bylaw.
With the land use bylaw now complete, Simpson said they could take it back to the housing working group to see what options look like this winter.
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