Leduc's only homeless shelter announces it will close on May 1

People outside Leduc Hub on Feb. 6, 2024. (Nav Sangha/CTV News Edmonton)

Leduc's only homeless shelter is preparing to close its doors until a new location can be found.

In a Tuesday letter to Leduc mayor and city council, Leduc Hub said it would stop providing daytime programming and close during the day as of March 28.

Leduc Hub says daytime services it currently provides include washrooms, food, clothing, laundry, access to medical, optometry and addictions services, phone and internet access, financial services, AHS ID card services, and outdoor survival supplies.

Starting April 1, the facility will be open from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. for overnight shelter intake and will close each morning at 8:30 a.m.

On May 1, the facility will close to the public entirely.

Leduc Hub announced earlier this year that if a new location wasn't found by Feb. 16, it would be forced to close because the landlord of the facility's current building would not extend its lease.

"The Leduc Hub Association's Board of Directors will continue building local capacity to provide shelter services in the City of Leduc," board members wrote in the letter. "The board will also continue searching for a suitable location over the next few months to resume shelter operations in time for the 2024-25 winter season."

The future of Leduc Hub was the topic of several city council meetings in February.

Nearly 1,500 people signed a petition to keep the facility open.  

Leduc Mayor Bob Young sent a written statement to CTV News Edmonton about the closure on Wednesday.

"While this closure could create a gap for our vulnerable citizens, Leduc is fortunate to have a network of dedicated community groups, in addition to Family and Community Support Services (FCSS) and a Community Navigator who work tirelessly to connect clients to the services they need," he wrote.

"Leduc City Council is committed to working with the Ministry of Seniors, Community and Social Services to find a response that best suits our community, while City Administration investigates overnight shelter options for the winter months and in extreme weather, as well as crisis diversion and community outreach services."