Significant investments boost local safety and prevention programs

New funding is helping strengthen community safety and wellbeing in Lethbridge.

The City of Lethbridge has received more than $2.7 million in provincial and federal funding to support local programs. Most of the money will go toward high‑risk youth prevention. The rest will support the City’s integrated encampment response.

The Government of Alberta’s Provincial funding for Integrated Encampment Response will provide $800,000 a year for the next three years. This funding supports two local programs:

• Initiatives supported through Public Safety Canada’s Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF), which were set to end on March 31, 2026. These initiatives will be recovery-oriented with a focus on strengthening prevention, early intervention, and coordinated supports for individuals at risk of addiction, mental health challenges, and justice involvement. This includes the continuation of Off The Record program, which helps build positive connections between youth and first responders.
• Expanded services within Outreach and Encampment Response, as part of the City’s Encampment Strategy. This integrated model is recognized across Canada and focuses on safety, coordination and connecting individuals experiencing homelessness to meaningful supports.

“This investment helps strengthen recovery-oriented outreach supports and connect people to the help they need. It builds on Lethbridge’s strong partnerships and commitment to safer, healthier communities.” – Minister Rick Wilson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Government of Alberta

The Government of Canada is also investing through the Reaching Home program. This will provide $228,411 in Federal Reaching Home Top Up funding. This will support outreach services linked to encampment response.

“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home and the support they need to participate fully in their community,” says the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for PrairiesCan. “By working with the City of Lethbridge and local partners, we are helping strengthen programs that respond to real community needs, support people facing housing challenges, and make public spaces safer, more welcoming, and more vibrant for everyone.”

In recent years, the City has worked with community partners and all levels of government to improve public safety. These efforts align with Council‑approved priorities, including:

• Community security
• Housing stability
• Wellbeing

“This funding shows the value of investing in coordinated, long‑term solutions,” says Andrew Malcolm, General Manager of Community Social Development. “It reflects the progress made in Lethbridge. It also gives us the stability to build on what works and respond to new needs in our community.”

The City of Lethbridge has also secured additional funding:

• $100,000 in Provincial Homeless Supports & Housing Stability Data Stewardship funding. This continues the City’s role as data steward for local homeless supports and housing stability programs, helping improve data-informed decision making, coordination and accountability.

“These investments support the great work already happening in our city,” says Mayor Blaine Hyggen. “Our teams and community partners have been making meaningful progress, especially in prevention and coordinated response. This funding helps us continue that work with greater stability and focus.”

The City secured all external funding with no extra impact on municipal property taxes. Together, these investments strengthen local programs and support a safer, more stable community for everyone in Lethbridge.

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