Project Nexus and the Rezoning of 7740 40th

The issue of homelessness in Red Deer has been studied for years and the research is clear. Traditional approaches are not working. Project Nexus is the solution. It puts the people and the services together in one centralized location, creating a real path forward instead of spreading services across the city ineffectively. The current shelter already exists and the parks are already affected, so moving it from commercial and residential areas into industrial space does not make things worse. Most opposition is based on NIMBY concerns, worries about proximity to 3 Mile Bend, bikes, and dogs, yet the current shelter is just as close to Bower Ponds. The City can maintain both parks equally, provide needle drop points, and intervene where necessary. People experiencing homelessness already move across the city, so arguments about them hanging out in the Pines woods are baseless.
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Access to downtown is straightforward. Buses already run and shuttles could connect key points if needed. Substance use occurs everywhere, but centralizing services allows better support and supervision for people who need it. Many public complaints could be addressed with lighting, sidewalks, security, outdoor seating, and services. Beyond that, most objections are pure NIMBY. Whether the shelter is wet, dry, in industrial space, or residential, people will use drugs regardless, so it is better in a controlled, supported environment than behind someone’s home.

There are opportunities to integrate community services creatively. If there is demand for a convenience store, it could be staffed by people experiencing homelessness with profits reinvested into the program. The groundwork is done and it is time to act.

Finally, Lynne spoke at the mic and laid everything out clearly. Black and white, no fluff. She said exactly what needed to be said. I clapped at home because her words made it obvious that the path forward is Project Nexus. She reminded everyone that years of opportunity to propose solutions have passed, and now it is time to lead and be the model for other communities. Darcy from the homelessness committee also spoke, stating the facts in black and white, emphasizing that this is not a last-minute decision and that Project Nexus is necessary because traditional methods have failed.

The only reason this decision is hard for some is that the current shelter has been temporary for years. Without it, people would complain there is no shelter, while the homeless occupy parks and backyards. Voices like Lynne’s and Darcy’s make it clear that finally there is a solid, actionable plan and Red Deer can move forward.

As for funding, Curtis, stop being vague. What funding were you even referring to, or did you even know what you were asking about? We were awarded the 3.4 million dollar CERP in early 2025, before the election campaign, and we are still waiting for it. It is intended for shelters, cleaning up encampments, housing, and similar initiatives. This funding has nothing to do with Project Nexus. It is designed to support homelessness broadly, whether through shelters or encampment cleanups. If Lynne had been paying attention during the campaign, she could have used this as an example of how provincial funding could be applied today.

Project Nexus