Community Shelters
The need for shelters
People of all ages, backgrounds, and circumstances experience homelessness in our community, and Medicine Hat continues to experience significant demand for shelter space.
Communities that are resilient and inclusive are inviting to residents and visitors. Visible signs of homelessness, addiction, poor mental health, poverty and social isolation can be unsettling and negatively impact a community.
- providing essential support to individuals experiencing an immediate housing crisis
- acting as a stepping stone towards permanent housing
- reducing reliance on other high-cost services (emergency rooms, etc.)
- bringing people indoors, providing an alternative to outdoor encampments, sidewalks, or other public areas
Even with employment or income, many people face financial barriers that prevent them from securing housing. Shelters play a vital role by offering resources and support that help individuals regain stability and move closer to long-term housing solutions.
Medicine Hat Community Housing has created a series called “Disrupting Conversations: Addiction, Criminality and Mental Health” which delves into common misconceptions of homelessness and the homeless-serving sector.
Roles and responsibilities
Emergency shelters and other social services are the responsibility of the Government of Alberta. In Medicine Hat, various organizations operate shelters, including:
Typically, the Government of Alberta is the primary funder of emergency shelters. Shelter operators may also receive additional funding from private donors and other levels of government, which may be targeted for certain use.
Selecting a new shelter site
The City is working with The Mustard Seed and the Government of Alberta to determine a new site for an emergency shelter and community impact centre with a focus on providing emergency relief and resources to individuals experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness in our community.
A new site will be thoughtfully selected to meet the diverse needs of Medicine Hat’s homeless population. It will integrate into, rather than disrupt, the surrounding communities.
On August 27, 2025, the City and The Mustard Seed announced their intent to take steps to explore a City-owned property at 2055 Saamis Drive NW as a permanent shelter location.
Before a new site can be confirmed, the following steps must occur:
Site selection (land support)
- The City reviewed available City-owned land or real estate that met the shelter operators' needs and could comply with land use requirements.
- The Government of Alberta reviewed any provincially-owned land or real estate available.
- The shelter operator considered private land or real estate options.
- The City supported the process by offering site options and the parties discussed the preferred location to pursue.
Regulatory approval by Planning & Development Services (PDS)
- PDS would recommend that any development proposal is first rezoned to Direct Control District.
- That process would involve an application by the shelter operator (i.e., developer).
- All rezonings have a requirement for a statutory public hearing.
- A notification sign is placed on the site as part of the application process.
- It is up to the discretion of the shelter operator (i.e., developer) as to whether they undertake additional public engagement with residents and businesses around the proposed site as part of their application.
- Once zoning is secured for a site, the shelter operator (i.e., developer) would be required to apply for a Development Permit.
- If the site is zoned as Direct Control, a second statutory public hearing is required as part of the approval process. City Council is the “Development Authority” and makes the final approval or refusal decision for any application within a Direct Control District.
Working with community
Communities and neighbours are an important part of making these projects successful.
A Medicine Hat initiative to support communities who may be requiring emergency shelter services is the Resilient and Inclusive Task Force. The task force was established to develop and implement strategies and actions to bolster community capacity, enhance community safety and promote social cohesion.
Reducing the impacts of homelessness, mental health, addiction and poverty, balancing individual, and community needs requires a coordinated and comprehensive approach. Community representation on the Resilient and Inclusive Task Force includes:
- City Council – Mayor
- City Council – Public Services Committee Chair
- City of Medicine Hat executive member
- MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat
- MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat
- MP for Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner
- Medicine Hat Community Housing Society
- The Mustard Seed
- Miywasin Friendship Centre
- Medicine Hat Police Service
- Alberta Health Services
- Chamber of Commerce
- Recovery Alberta
- SafeLink Alberta
- The Root Cellar
- Three (3) public members
Contact Us
City of Medicine Hat
City Hall
580 1 St SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 8E6
403-529-8100
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