As the Mayor’s Task Force on the Unhoused Committee begins its work in Drayton Valley, it has collected some important facts about the situation to share with the community.
According to RCMP estimates, there are 30-35 unhoused individuals living near the landfill area. The committee says most of those people are long-term residents of Drayton Valley and Brazeau County, and a part of the community.
The committee also states that neither the mayor, council, nor the town administration have brought individuals into the community by bus, or any other means. Those parties also do not receive any financial compensation related to unhoused individuals.
It’s also noted that forcibly relocating or confining an individual who has not committed a crime is unconstitutional, as would be busing individuals between communities without their consent.
Local shelter pods and the Warming Hearts Centre are funded by Government of Alberta grants and operated by local non-profits and volunteers, the committee also clarifies.
Unhoused individuals often face complex and interconnected issues, including:
- Trauma and mental health challenges
- Substance use disorders
- Lack of affordable housing
- Job loss and limited opportunities for upskilling
- Economic and social impacts of the 2020 pandemic (23 per cent increase in homelessness reported)
- Experiences of rejection, discrimination and stigma
Volunteers, churches and community members have worked together to address encampments and clean-up initiatives over a number of years. Thanks to community collaboration, the most recent clean-up effort reportedly saved the town $27,000 when compared with hiring a contractor.
The committee reminds residents that this complex issue requires compassion, collaboration and lawful solutions that respect human rights standards. Moving forward, it encourages residents to:
- Support local volunteer groups and non-profits
- Share accurate information to counter misinformation
- Engage in respectful dialogue about community solutions
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