The city is set to hire a social housing specialist next year to work on housing supports for vulnerable people in St. Albert and the city's youth transitional housing project.
The new position will be funded in 2021 through $82,000 from new assessment growth, with expectations for the position to cost $121,000 in 2022 and $127,000 in 2023.
According to a city report, the social housing specialist “would provide vulnerable groups who are under-served in our community the support that is missing to address an increasing number of homeless individuals in our community.”
Several months ago, the Mayor’s Task Force to End Homelessness recommended hiring a social housing specialist. According to the task force’s year-end report, this person could streamline processes to help people find flexible employment opportunities and connect them quickly to affordable rental options in St. Albert. On July 13, St. Albert's community living standing committee rejected the suggestion.
Coun. Jacquie Hansen said she brought forward the motion as an opportunity to help families in need, and noted the St. Albert Food Bank’s support for the position during budget discussions on Dec. 1.
“Our vulnerable throughout the province, certainly in St. Albert, have been hit the hardest (by the pandemic). We do need to assist people in getting back on their feet,” Hansen said. “I think the time is right to make that investment into the social sector and into helping our families sustain or create a better life for themselves.”
Coun. Sheena Hughes questioned whether it should be the city’s responsibility to hire a social housing specialist instead of working with outside agencies to fill the gap.
“My concern is that in the end, we will hire one person, but the level of homelessness will not be affected,” she said. “You can put $2 million dollars (in) and buy 20 apartments, but anything else beyond that is not going to get somebody a house.”
Mayor Cathy Heron spoke in favour of the motion and said the pandemic has identified a gap in city supports.
“There is not a single agency in St. Albert that focuses on housing,” Heron said. She said she asked executive directors at other social agencies like the Mustard Seed for advice, and they told her the city “needs someone to coordinate this in the municipality.”
The motion passed in a 4-3 vote, with councillors Hughes, Ray Watkins, and Natalie Joly against.
