A person sleeps on a Prince Albert city sidewalk in late fall. (file photo/paNOW)

By Susan McNeil

Homelessness in Prince Albert

Homeless shelter to increase to 40 beds

Oct 13, 2023 | 7:31 PM

-An earlier version said Stepping Stones was set to open on Oct. 16. The shelter is scheduled to start on Nov. 1.

With winter quickly approaching, the Stepping Stones Emergency Shelter is again set to open at the Exhibition Grounds, but this time they plan to have 40 beds.

In previous years, the shelter has operated with 25 beds which would be expanded as needed.

City council will discuss the issue on Monday.

Prince Albert’s YWCA has operated Stepping Stones since it was first started in 2020 as a pandemic emergency measure and is applying to operate it again this year.

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According to its submission to council, the YWCA anticipates working with the Prince Albert Grand Council (PAGC) as it has in other years along with volunteer organizations.

The SHA, Prince Albert Police, social services and other groups are involved as well.

With the added beds this year, at least three trained staff will be on duty at all times. They will be wearing panic buttons in case of emergency.

Cameras will also be placed inside and outside of the shelter and the YWCA is working with police to create a response plan if problems arise.

Security guards will be onsite at all times to help with the shelter and patrol the grounds.

The YWCA says that in the years it has operated so far, they have not had any major incidents.

Council meets on Monday at 5:00 p.m.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com