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Homelessness Task Force

NEW UPDATE: Board Nominations – Homeless Foundation for Red Deer Region

Registered under the Alberta Societies Act on November 15, 2024, the Homeless Foundation for Red Deer Region is excited to announce the Call for Nominations seeking dedicated individuals to join its volunteer board of directors. Board members are community leaders who bring a wealth of experience, a commitment to addressing the homelessness crisis, and a willingness to learn and adapt. Directors dedicate five to ten hours per month to help guide the foundation’s strategic direction, ensuring impactful, solution-oriented outcomes. They embrace innovation, collaboration, and change, and are focused on driving systemic change through social impact and community investment. The board reflects the diversity of the Red Deer community and operates with a strategic mindset toward ending homelessness and improving the well-being of all in the region.

The following information is provided as background for nominees to consider in the application process:

Interested individuals (or nominators) are encouraged to review the Nomination Package – Homeless Foundation for Red Deer Region before beginning their on-line application at Nomination Form - Homeless Foundation for Red Deer Region.

Nominations are due no later than 2:00pm MST, January 8, 2025.

For more information or questions, please reach out to nominations@homelessnessreddeer.com

Thank you for your consideration.

 

Background:

In April 2024, the Red Deer Chamber Homelessness Taskforce submitted its final report, which was met with strong support from the business community. Over the summer, Taskforce Chair Lyn Radford and Vice Chair Kathy Lacey worked diligently to establish a Transition Team, with a primary focus on advancing the report’s key recommendation: the formation of a Red Deer Homeless Foundation. On Nov 15, 2024 the Homeless Foundation for Red Deer Region was registered.

Reports:

The work of the Red Deer Chamber Homelessness Task Force consisted of two reports:

  • Interim Report – “What we Learned” which outlines the Task Forces’ understanding of the homelessness situation in Red Deer and provides a summary of what has been learned during the research phase.
  • Final Report – “Recommendations” which outlines eighteen recommendations, organized into four priority areas, that represent themes to advance work the taskforce believes will move the needle in addressing homelessness in Red Deer.

The Red Deer District Chamber is proud to have led this initiative, including providing financial support for the development of the reports and the establishment of the foundation. Our formal involvement will conclude on January 31, 2025, when the foundation will be transitioned over to the community to guide and advance this important work.

You can stay up to date with the Transition Team and Homeless Foundation by subscribing to their monthly newsletter at Red Deer Homeless Transition Team Update.  You can find past editions at:

The business community plays an important role in addressing homelessness, and the Red Deer District Chamber will continue to advocate for and support solutions that benefit our entire community

During the City of Red Deer’s 2022 Point in Time Homeless count, 334 individuals were identified as experiencing homelessness, more than double the 144 individuals identified as experiencing homelessness in 2018.  For complete details on The City of Red Deer’s work, check out Housing and Homelessness - The City of Red Deer

Recognizing the growing impacts of homelessness throughout Red Deer, the Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce formed a volunteer Task Force of volunteers to understand the homelessness situation in Red Deer better and identify specific areas where the business community can actively contribute to address the issue and advocate for meaningful change.