Housing Study Highlights Need for Temporary Housing in the Tri-Region

The Town of Stony Plain and the City of Spruce Grove are partnering to better understand homelessness in the Tri-Municipal Region. The Short-Term Non-Market Housing Study is looking to identify gaps and needs in temporary, transitional, and supportive housing in our area.

Building on the Tri-Municipal Regional Plan Housing Assessment released in 2021, the Short-Term Non-Market Housing Study provides additional information on how to support residents who may be experiencing homelessness, living in unsafe situations, or be at risk of losing their homes. The study presents an overview of present-day realities within the Tri-Region, which includes a measurement of supports currently available for residents in need of temporary housing, as well as recommendations for stakeholders in the Tri-Municipal Region to consider.    

“A healthy community needs diverse housing options across the whole continuum of housing. Life is unpredictable and sadly can include situations like domestic violence or unexpected layoffs or shutdowns,” says Town of Stony Plain Community Development Officer Sharida Csillag. “As a community, it is important that we have temporary or transitional housing available to help our residents get back on their feet after these difficult situations.”

The partnership between the municipalities is funded through the Government of Canada’s Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, which is administered by the Alberta Rural Development Network (RDN). A key goal of the study is to foster a deeper understanding of the short-term non-market needs of the region and identify possible community actions and solutions to address homelessness.

“Collaboration is necessary. As a region, we must work with all levels of government and community partners to explore funding options and opportunities to ensure everyone in our community has safe and appropriate accommodations while they move towards more stable, permanent housing,” shares Kusi Ampofo Acting Manager, Social Planning, City of Spruce Grove.

While the study focuses on immediate and short-term needs, it stresses short-term housing is only one step in a larger housing solution. More long-term solutions are needed to address and alleviate homelessness throughout the Tri-Region.

The study can be viewed on the Stony Plain and the Spruce Grove websites.