Drayton Valley opens new shelter pods for residents needing a place to rest
The town of Drayton Valley is giving residents experiencing homelessness a warm, safe and private space to spend the night.
Drayton Valley is the second community in Alberta to set up small pod-style shelters that can be accessed overnight by anyone needing a place to stay.
Lola Strand, Drayton Valley community services manager, said previous shelter programs in the town were difficult to sustain because of funding and staffing requirements. The pods are a sustainable alternative, said Strand, because they’re operated remotely with minimal staffing.
Clients wanting a pod check in over the phone. After giving some personal information and agreeing to the program’s code of conduct, they’re given a code and are free to check in any time between 8 p.m. and 9 a.m.
The program has two trailers, with 12 pods in total available. Codes are changed daily, the space is monitored by video 24 hours a day and is located across the street from an RCMP detachment. Strand says the safety aspect of the pods is especially important for women with nowhere to stay. And rooms are big enough for two, meaning couples get to stay together.
“It’s a more dignified way to offer shelter. From experience, not everyone wants to sleep on a mat on a floor of a church basement. This way they have their own private space,” said Strand.
One of the pod trailers was federally funded. The second was donated by a local non-profit, Humans Helping Humans Housing Foundation. Strand said the town donated the land for the pods and is funding operating costs for the next five years.
Hack Hamdon, Humans Helping Humans Housing Foundation president, said the pods offer privacy and dignity - but they aren’t a permanent solution.
“The ultimate solution would be to put every homeless person in a home. That’s how you end homelessness,” Hamdon said. “But this is an excellent band-aid for the time being.”
“My mom always said, ‘Where are you sleeping tonight? Are you going to be safe? Are you going to be warm?’” Hamdon said. “Well, this is for my mom and every single other mom in Drayton Valley. Starting today and every single day moving forward, there will be a warm safe place for your child to sleep in Drayton Valley.”
Hamdon said the town is working to institute a Housing First model, but they haven’t yet been able to secure federal funding.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
3 Indian nationals accused of murdering Hardeep Singh Nijjar facing court in B.C.
Three Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are due to face court Tuesday over the killing that triggered a major diplomatic rift with India.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.