Lloydminster city council heard an update Monday from the Olive Tree’s Homebase Housing First program, highlighting both the progress the program has made and the challenges that remain for residents trying to find stable housing.
Becky Schille, co-founder of the Olive Tree, told council the program has helped dozens of residents move out of homelessness and into stable living situations.
“Behind every number is someone that now has a door that locks, a bed to sleep in, and the ability to plan for tomorrow,” Schille said.
The Homebase program currently supports 42 households, representing 82 individuals, while 44 people have successfully graduated from the program after achieving housing stability.
Schille said the Housing First model, used by the Olive Tree, focuses on providing housing before addressing other issues residents may be facing.
“Housing is a prerequisite to stability, not a reward for it,” she said.
“This model recognizes that people are better able to address mental health, employment and recovery when they have a stable place to live.”
Despite the program’s progress, Schille said the demand for housing support in Lloydminster continues to exceed the available options.
“Demand for the program has remained steady and continues to exceed the availability of appropriate housing options in our city,” she said.
The program currently has between 20 and 30 people on its wait list, many of whom are searching for units that meet their needs.
Schille told council the shortage of affordable and suitable housing remains one of the largest barriers facing the program.
“Limited affordable and suitable housing for our diverse client list remains a challenge,” she said.
“That includes accessible units and housing options for larger families.”
Schille also noted that housing instability often places pressure on other community systems.
“When individuals remain unhoused or precariously housed, the costs shift to other systems, emergency rooms, crisis response, shelters, policing and by-law services,” she said.
Mayor Gerald Aalbers thanked Schille and the Olive Tree team for their work in the community and asked questions about the program’s long-term outcomes.
Schille said the goal of the program is not only to house people, but to ensure they can maintain their housing and eventually live independently.
“We focus on long-term stability and building the skills and supports people need to remain housed,” she said.
“Graduation from the program means they have reached a level of independence where they no longer need intensive supports.”
Councillor Michele Charles Gustafson said the numbers presented to council highlight both the success of the program and the ongoing need in the community.
“I see so much unmet demand,” Gustafson said.
“You shared that there were 20 to 30 people on the wait list.”
In addition to housing shortages, Schille said transportation remains a significant barrier for many people trying to move forward in their lives.
“Public transportation is a massive problem for us,” she said.
Schille explained that without a transit system, Olive Tree outreach workers often step in to help clients get to job interviews, daycare and appointments.
“For example, if we have a single parent that really wants to get employment but there’s no public transit, our outreach workers are driving them to job interviews, to get the right clothing and attire if they need it,” she said.
The lack of transportation can create significant challenges for families trying to balance childcare and work schedules.
“How do you get the children to daycare and then get that person to work and then back again at the end of the day?” Schille said.
Schille praised the Olive Tree outreach team for stepping in to help where they can.
“We’ve been very lucky. I have an incredible team of outreach workers,” she said.
“They’ve committed to 7:30 drop-offs at daycare in the morning and whatever we need to do to get people to that next step.”
Councillor Jason Whiting acknowledged transportation as one of several challenges highlighted in the presentation.
“Three critical challenges exist in your slideshow: the affordable housing, complexity of needs and the lack of public transportation,” Whiting said.
“Public transportation, we are looking into and addressing. No solid answers there, but it’s something that we’re investigating further.”
Schille said improving transportation options could play a significant role in helping residents move toward employment and independence.
“But public transit would definitely help in that regard,” she said.
For Schille and the Olive Tree team, the work ultimately comes back to helping people rebuild their lives.
“Behind every number is a story,” she said.
“It’s someone who now has the opportunity to build a future.”
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