It was a long day in City Council Chambers on June 9th where zoning issues for many neighbourhoods were debated. I was there with three others from McCauley along with staff from The Mustard Seed and Radius Community Health and Healing for a rezoning hearing to remove the sunset clause approved in 2023. Rezoning would allow The Mustard Seed Central shelter to operate indefinitely as a permanent shelter. 

The building was originally operated by Operation Friendship as a seniors’ drop-in with supportive housing for 40 seniors. This housing was lost when Operation Friendship closed the building due to safety concerns for staff and residents largely due to the drug trade. The Province then funded The Mustard Seed and Radius to operate a shelter and health services for 124 people. This meant cots and bunkbeds. Shelter guests are awakened at 6 a.m. so main floor cots can be packed up to make room for breakfast at 7 a.m. and health services throughout the day. 

The good work of The Mustard Seed and Radius is not the issue. In a six month period, 123 people moved from the shelter into housing. Many others were supported to seek health services, detox, treatment, and other programs. The concern is that over 80% of the permanent shelter beds in Edmonton are located in McCauley. Rather than adding another permanent shelter, the focus should be kept on creating more options for unhoused community members.

I advocated that the sunset clause be extended for two more years then return the building for use as supportive housing. I was not the only one.  Councillor Anne Stevenson proposed this amendment that carried 9-4: “4.3. Any Development Permit for Community Service in the form of a Year-round Shelter or Seasonal Shelter must be temporary and expire on July 1, 2027.”

Kate Quinn is a McCauley resident.