Grande Prairie is set to freeze this weekend, with average daily highs of -40°C, and as a result, the city has taken a few precautions to ensure the safety of Grande Prairie’s unhoused population.
According to Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton, the city has maintained contact with numerous individuals experiencing homelessness through the GPPD’s mobile outreach team and enforcement services.
“We are aware of individuals who potentially are living in the streets,” she says. “They [enforcement services] have regular communication with them to make sure they are in a safe place, that is extremely important to monitor the situation to keep people out of the risk of harm when the weather gets that severe.”
The mayor adds that warming centres such as the Wapiti Shelter will be available for those who need them, and plans are in place to provide transportation to facilities during the snap.
“We do have the street outreach centre which is, in essence, the city’s warming centre.”
The mayor adds that the current Fletcher House facility has moved in a number of individuals; however, the city says it will not function as a warming centre during the winter.
Additionally, Wapiti House was recently awarded funding from the Provincial Outreach Support Services Initiative for an additional 10 spaces, and 13 spaces at St. Lawrence Centre.
