A public hearing was called to hear any representation from the public about variation application 01-2025 for the designation of an emergency homeless shelter at 108/110 Edwards Avenue in The Pas. The emergency shelter is intended to operate until March 31, 2025.
OCN’s Chief Maureen Brown was in attendance, along with various citizens who wished to present. Mayor Murphy read the letter submitted to the Town of The Pas Council with regards to their application for variance to their newly acquired building.
It was stated in the letter that there have been recent events that brought the need for an emergency homelessness shelter to be set up for OCN’s most vulnerable members. On February 3, 2025, two members from OCN had no place to sleep and slept in frigid cold temperatures and being warmed only by a small fire they could start. Other instances have led to some OCN members sleeping in the Big Eddy dump and have raised other concerns. This prompted OCN Chief and Council to provide a solution to help their members find temporary shelter to prevent any fatalities from befalling these citizens. It was stressed that OCN is referring to this request as temporary only, as OCN has a potential long-term strategy to accommodate this portion of their population with permanent housing, which may include a tiny home community.