Wetaskiwin encampment to get temporary warming shelters amid demands for permanent housing – Edmonton

It’s solely a matter of time earlier than winter climate units in at a Wetaskiwin encampment.

“It’s tough. Out right here, there aren’t any bushes, no nothing that we may naked off of,” mentioned Tammy Rowan, who resides on the camp.

For a number of months, Rowan and a couple of dozen others have been dwelling behind a giant field retailer.

Whereas dwelling situations have been tough, it’s what’s coming that almost all concern.

“I’m scared to lose limbs too as a result of that’s how we lose them is the freezing,” Rowan mentioned.

With time operating out, the Metropolis of Wetaskiwin has been busy engaged on momentary lodging for the winter months beginning close to the top of November.

Mayor Tyler Gandam mentioned a $150,000 federal grant plus $35,000 from town and potential help from the province will fund momentary shelter companies on the web site, which is owned by town.

“The answer for the winter is to arrange warming shelters. We’d like a heat place for folks to sleep, and that’s been our precedence,” Gandam mentioned.

The momentary trailers usually are not meant for daytime use and can be in service till March.

Gandam mentioned town needed a everlasting answer in place nevertheless it wasn’t potential.

“Town doesn’t have the power to supply shelter or that 24-hour care like large cities do. We simply don’t have that,” Gandam mentioned.

“Warming models are Band-Assist options. These are all simply Band-Assist options to a deeper societal situation of not with the ability to assist people who find themselves susceptible,” Hate to Hope Present of Heat founder Chevi Rabbitt mentioned.

To assist, advocates held a clothes drive this weekend, gathering jackets, blankets, meals and hygiene provides.

“We’ve been capable of present the present of heat by a jacket, however that’s not sufficient. There are extra helps,” Rabbitt mentioned.

Rabbitt mentioned folks want everlasting, transitional housing and wrap-around companies.

“Folks may lose their fingers to the chilly. They’ll die from frostbite. As quickly as winter comes, actually, persons are going to be freezing on the market in a discipline,” Rabbitt mentioned.

It’s a actuality these dwelling on the camp are all too conscious of.

“That is all we acquired to outlive in the event that they don’t give us any extra,” Rowan mentioned.