COLD LAKE – The Cold Lake John Howard Society reports a significant increase in demand for emergency shelter, meals, and support services, with the number of people accessing its programs more than doubling over the past two years.

The organization is now preparing to conduct a community-wide homelessness count on November 9 and 10 to better understand how many people are experiencing housing insecurity in Cold Lake and what services they need.

Board Chair Candice Sutterfield and Program Manager Leona Heisler presented the organization’s latest statistics and upcoming initiatives during Cold Lake City Council’s October 27 regular meeting.

The presentation highlighted the growing pressures facing people experiencing homelessness, including housing affordability, food insecurity, addiction, mental health challenges and barriers to accessing government services.

Number of People Seeking Help Has More Than Doubled

According to the society’s presentation, the number of unique individuals accessing its services increased from 145 in 2023 to 154 in 2024 and 304 in 2025.

Over the same period, the average number of people staying in the shelter each night increased from 9.8 in 2023–24 to 12.6 in 2025–26.

The organization reported the following service figures:

• 17,012 community meals served, averaging approximately 47 meals daily.
• 4,586 emergency shelter stays.
• 304 unique individuals served.
• 131 clients referred to addiction treatment services.
• 182 medical appointments booked or supported.
• 129 clients receiving court support.
• 106 clients assisted with legal system navigation.
• 105 overdose interventions or naloxone kits distributed.

The society explained that demand changes throughout the year, with colder temperatures and poor weather often increasing the number of people seeking overnight shelter.

However, the need for food and daytime support extends beyond people who are homeless.

Sutterfield told council the organization is increasingly seeing people who have housing but struggle to afford basic necessities.

“We’re not only somewhere to sleep and to be safe. We’ve really seen a huge increase of meals that have been served,” she said.

She described situations where people sharing accommodations on fixed incomes visit the community kitchen because they cannot afford enough food.

Cold Lake Shelter Serving People From Across the Lakeland

The society also reported that people from surrounding communities are increasingly accessing its services.

While Cold Lake, the Municipal District of Bonnyville and Cold Lake First Nations account for a substantial portion of clients, the organization is also seeing people from the St. Paul area and other communities across northeastern Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Sutterfield said closures or reductions of services in neighbouring communities have contributed to the increase.

“We are seeing a huge increase from the County of St. Paul and the Town of St. Paul as well,” she told council.

She also pointed to the closure of a shelter in Lac La Biche as another factor affecting demand.

The organization emphasized that rural homelessness presents different challenges from those experienced in larger cities.

While smaller communities can benefit from close working relationships between service providers, limited transitional housing, supportive housing and specialized treatment options can make it difficult for people to move beyond emergency shelter.

Addiction Treatment Wait Times Can Stretch to 16 Weeks

Council also heard about the challenges facing people who want to access addiction treatment.

The society reported referring 131 clients to treatment services, but representatives explained that securing a placement can take considerable time.

“Most treatment programs are a 10- to 16-plus-week wait,” Heisler told council.

She explained that a person’s circumstances or readiness to enter treatment can change during that waiting period.

Councillor Vining praised the organization’s work connecting people with recovery services.

“I do want to compliment you on the number because 131 out of 304 clients … I think you guys are doing a really good job there,” he said.

The discussion also highlighted the absence of a local detoxification option.

Sutterfield said Cold Lake has several strong community support services but identified detox as a significant gap.

“Again, we are missing the detox option, which I know everybody knows that. But I do want to highlight that that is something that could be definitely needed in this community,” she said.

Getting Identification Remains a Major Barrier

Another challenge identified during the presentation involves helping people obtain identification and access government benefits.

The society assists clients with birth certificates, Alberta identification cards, digital identification accounts, banking, income support and other essential documents.

Sutterfield explained that obtaining one document often requires another, creating a cycle that people without stable housing or financial resources can find difficult to navigate.

A birth certificate can cost approximately $48, while a basic Alberta identification card costs approximately $15.

The society does not currently have dedicated funding to cover birth certificates for clients, although representatives said they hope to include some assistance in a future winter budget.

Councillor Bailey expressed frustration with the barriers facing vulnerable residents and suggested the provincial government should consider helping nonprofit organizations cover the cost of essential identification documents.

He said access to those documents can be critical for people trying to obtain income assistance, healthcare and other supports.

November Homelessness Count Will Help Identify Local Needs

The Cold Lake John Howard Society is partnering with community organizations to conduct a Point-in-Time Count on November 9 and 10.

The initiative will gather information about people experiencing homelessness or housing instability, including those who may not be accessing traditional shelter services.

The society is working with partners including Stepping Stones Crisis Society, the Cold Lake Food Bank, Family and Community Support Services, healthcare providers and Indigenous community representatives.

The count is scheduled to take place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on both days, with participating organizations collecting information from eligible individuals.

Sutterfield explained that the timing was selected to help capture a more accurate picture of homelessness during a period when some people may be running low on financial assistance.

The information will help identify service gaps, improve community planning and support future discussions about housing and homelessness.

The society cautioned that a Point-in-Time Count provides a snapshot of homelessness rather than a complete count of everyone experiencing housing insecurity.

Shelter Security and Staffing Also Discussed

The delegation also addressed safety and security measures at the emergency shelter.

Representatives confirmed that the facility currently has 10 security cameras, protective screens in the kitchen and main office, and an additional lock at the entrance.

Staff members have also received crisis intervention and de-escalation training.

Sutterfield explained that when the organization discontinued dedicated security services, it increased overnight staffing.

The shelter operates as a low-barrier facility, meaning adults experiencing homelessness can access accommodation even if they are under the influence, provided they meet the facility’s safety and behavioural requirements.

The organization also provides daytime outreach, meals, laundry, showers, clothing and assistance connecting with healthcare, housing and government services.

Council Thanks Organization for Its Work

Mayor Bob Mattice thanked the John Howard Society representatives for their presentation and acknowledged the importance of the organization’s work.

“On behalf of council and the City and everybody, for the work that you do, it’s not gone unnoticed,” Mattice said.

“We truly appreciate the people that showed up and show up day to day.”

No new municipal funding or service agreement was approved during the delegation.

The society will continue preparing for its November homelessness count while working with community partners to address growing demand for shelter and support services across the Lakeland.