Homelessness not just a big city problem

That is what Ripple Connection Support Centre (RCSC) executive director Tracy Whitten said.

The RCSC is a not-for-profit organization, which opened in 2010, it provides services for people who directly suffer from mental illness, as well as their families and caregivers. On any given day RCSC serves between 20 and 30 people.

Among the services the centre provides is a referral service to Alberta Mental Health and Addictions, peer-to-peer counselling, which this course hopes to expand, a food bank and help to find low-income housing.

It's doors have been closed to the public, but the centre is still providing programs via telephone and video conferencing, which is how the course is being conducted.

The Town and Country This Week contacted Whitten to see how the coronavirus outbreak has hampered her efforts in finding accommodations for the community's homeless.

"Not really," she said, adding the process of finding accommodations hasn't changed due to COVID-19. "It has always been difficult, especially when you are trying to find someone willing to rent to someone who is trying to overcome mental illness or an addiction problem."

But having said that Whitten notes the virus, to some extent, has increased the number of people who might need accommodations.

Currently, she estimates there are anywhere from seven to 10 people that are homeless, i.e. living on streets most of which are living out of sight in the wilderness. Some of the locations people have set up camp include along the riverbank or some of the less used walking trails.

And although Whitten says the virus hasn't made it more difficult to find accommodations, she fears it might increase the number of people in need of immediate shelter.

Whitten notes the homeless population can't be counted solely on the number of people wandering the streets or living in outdoor encampments.

"You have to include people who are couch surfing, going from friend to friend until they have run out all their welcome," she said.

And although couch surfing might be a safer alternative than finding a place in the wilderness, it is at best a temporary solution and at worst it can contribute to the issues that lead them to be homeless.

"Couch surfing, going from meth house to meth house, isn't going to help someone kick their addiction habit," Whitten said.

She also notes the number of homeless, without shelter of any kind, tends to increase in the winter months, when people can least afford it.

Whitten added for those she cannot find housing for, she has often given out electric space heaters.

"But when it is -40 and you are staying in an uninsulated shed, it isn't much comfort," she said.

The Ripple in addition to helping clients find shelter also provides assistance in helping them navigate through government bureaucracy, so they can access programs they are eligible for.

Whitten added once a client finds housing the RCSC helps them get set up, providing furniture and other household items, much of which they have received through donations.

Ideally, what she would like to see is that the community has a "mat program" or a place where people in need of emergency shelter could stay the night.

"Slave Lake, St. Albert and a lot of the larger urban centres have them. A place where people can lay their "mat" down from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m," Whitten said, adding this is one of the services RCSC hopes to provide.

The RCSC is in the first stage of renovations that will see them expand their available space as well as improve their kitchen and washroom facilities to allow them to create an emergency mat service.

In the meanwhile, Whitten said they will continue to do what they can to help, noting although due to the COVID-19 outbreak they have suspended their weekly garage sale, the RCSC is still taking donations of furniture and household items.

For more information about the RCSC and its programs call 780-674-5548 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com

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