FCSS provides update on Leduc homelessness supports

LEDUC -- Family and Community Support Services has provided an update on their augmented service levels.

This is in regards to various support programs for those experiencing homelessness in the City of Leduc. This comes after City Council approved continued funding of these services at their regular meeting this month. At that time, it was determined that the costs for the FCSS support programs would be included in Leduc's 2025-2027 draft operating budget.

The main pillars of the current FCSS services include Life Safety Planning and Housing Pathway Navigation Services, as well as the Extreme Weather Activation Procedure. FCSS Manager Amanda Ulrickson says the Extreme Weather protocols have been in place since this past winter.

"In 2024, we had nineteen days of extreme cold activation," said Ulrickson. "In 2025 to date, we've had 33 days. So, we've had 31 days of extreme cold, and two days of poor air quality."

The City of Leduc defines extreme cold as situations when temperatures drop to -20°C with wind chill for three consecutive days, while poor air quality is declared when the air quality activation score is seven or higher for two consecutive days. During these times, unhoused residents are able to access public buildings -- such as the Civic Centre and the LRC -- for temporary daytime reprieve.

For the FCSS Life Safety Planning and Housing Pathway Navigation Services, changes took effect earlier this year that impacted staffing levels. Alycia Clarke -- team lead with the FCSS Specialized Social Services -- says a new Life Safety and Navigation Coordinator was brought on board to provide enhanced support.

"There was a second position created, a three-year term position," said Clarke. "Basically, to enhance the evening and weekend coverage during extreme weather responses."

The FCSS Navigation Services work to support the homeless, and those at risk of being being homeless, to connect them with resources, work on housing plans, and become paper-ready to be housed (ID, access to income, and finding appropriate housing options). The program has undergone several changes over this year after being initially launched back in March of 2023.

In their update, Family and Community Support Services say that Leduc's unhoused population has remained relatively unchanged over the past twelve months, with neither a noteworthy increase nor decrease in numbers.