A new permanent homeless shelter in a central Alberta city is set to open later this winter, providing accommodation and hope for numerous residents in need of nightly shelter. The Hope Mission in Wetaskiwin, located approximately 70 kilometers south of Edmonton, has been running a 42-bed temporary shelter for the past three years on the southwest outskirts of the city. The upcoming permanent shelter, currently under construction adjacent to the existing facility, will have the capacity to accommodate up to 75 individuals.
The agency disclosed that presently, around 65 people are seeking overnight accommodations daily. Kelly Row, a chaplain at the shelter, emphasized that the new facility aims to offer more than just basic care. Row stated, “We are committed to facilitating positive life transformations, not just maintaining the status quo.”
Since its inauguration in October 2022, the temporary shelter has successfully referred over 140 individuals to various recovery programs. An inspiring success story from the shelter is Cory Pruden, who completed Hope Mission’s recovery program in Edmonton and now works as a janitor at the temporary shelter in his hometown community. Pruden, who shares an Indigenous background with many shelter residents, serves as a beacon of hope and connection for them.
Aside from providing beds, the new permanent shelter will include an emergency shelter, dining hall, and facilities for accessing health services, tax assistance, and support programs like grief counseling and addiction support. Hope Mission contributed $6.8 million in capital funding, while the Alberta government allocated $3.2 million in capital funding and approximately $2.23 million in operational funding for 2025-26 towards the shelter project.
The shelter is situated on three acres of city-owned land, with an additional six adjacent acres zoned for service agencies such as a potential detox center. Row mentioned that the agency’s future plans involve constructing transitional and affordable housing, with funding efforts currently underway.
The construction of the new permanent shelter commenced in spring 2024, following a four-month pause by the city council on development permits. Wetaskiwin Mayor Joe Branco did not provide a response to inquiries by CBC News regarding the shelter project.
