The Wapiti Community Support Association is seeking assistance from the City of Grande Prairie after experiencing a loss of $1.4 million in provincial funding. This financial setback is anticipated to result in layoffs for over a dozen WCSA employees and the closure of various services, including the case manager program and the Foundations transitional housing facility. Additional programs will also undergo reductions.
Expressing her frustration, WCSA Executive Director Kathy Lambert emphasized the wide-reaching impact of the funding loss, stating that it extends beyond just shelter services to become a broader community concern. She anticipates that with reduced services, there may be an increase in street disorder in Grande Prairie.
Jared Gossen, the agency’s project lead, echoed Lambert’s concerns by highlighting past instances where program closures led to significant encampments of individuals.
The emergency shelter operated by WCSA, a critical service provided by the agency, has been operating at an average of 113% over capacity in the past year. With the loss of funding, which previously covered 33% of the shelter’s resources, Lambert expects further strain on WCSA’s resources.
Foundations, the 24/7 transitional housing space operated by WCSA, will also be closing its doors. This facility offered a supportive environment for formerly homeless individuals to transition towards securing permanent housing. As the closure is scheduled for April 23, WCSA is actively seeking alternative housing solutions for its ten Foundations tenants.
One such tenant, Trevor Trites, shared his personal story of overcoming addiction and the crucial role that Foundations played in his journey to recovery. Trites emphasized the importance of such programs and the supportive community they foster among residents.
Despite the province’s claim that there has been no reduction in shelter funding for Grande Prairie, Amber Edgerton, a press secretary to Social Services Minister Jason Nixon, clarified that the $1.4 million loss was due to the conclusion of a limited-term pilot program. The government is providing $100,000 in transitional funding to WCSA as part of the pilot program’s conclusion.
Gossen recently attended a Grande Prairie city council meeting to seek support in drafting a letter to the province expressing the impact of the funding cut. Council members acknowledged the challenges posed by the abrupt funding reduction and voted in favor of writing the letter. They also instructed the mayor to request a 60-day grace period from the province before the funding cuts take effect.