The province has promised big changes to Alberta’s homeless shelters and drug treatment programs, with plans to bring the current government’s recovery-oriented care model closer to those in need.

Dually announced on Oct. 1 were an additional $124 million over two-years for the province’s recovery-oriented care system, with the goal of increasing access to addiction and mental health services in Calgary and Edmonton, alongside $63 million to reduce homelessness.

“The whole vision of Alberta’s government is based on the reality that that recovery is possible,” said Premier Jason Kenney, in Edmonton.

“So we have developed, and today we massively expand, Albert’s unique model in North America of a recovery oriented system of care. The whole point is to give people a fighting chance to escape from the grips of addiction, so they have the opportunity to build a new, safe, fulfilling life.”

At the heart of Saturday’s announcement was that services providing access to health care, detox and rehab efforts, housing, job training, and recovery from homelessness would be made more accessible directly clients at shelters and though commonly accessible points of contact.

The government is planning on developing two new long-term treatment communities in Calgary and Edmonton. This is alongside increasing medical detox capacity in the two cities.

Hybrid health and police-operated facilities in the downtown of both centres are also planned. They’ll assess patients onsite in order to divert individuals from emergency departments and instead into urgent treatment plans and addiction treatment. The final format of these facilities has not yet been finalized by the province.

Funding is also going to be provided to shelters for 24/7 access. That will change the way that homeless Albertans are able to access shelters year round.

“The work will start while we keep them being cared for during night, we’re going to take the time during the day to lift the standard of Homeless Services,” said Jason Luan, Minister of Community and Social Services.

“We going to connect them—whether it’s mental health, it’s addiction, it’s addressing counselling for intergenerational trauma, it’s addressing poverty, it’s helping them find jobs—you name it.”

The province is also looking at expanding homeless outreach teams in the Downtown Core and the Beltline, with what the province is calling enhanced direct outreach to connect individuals with overdose prevention and recovery resources.

“My council colleagues and I are pleased to see a coordinated response to the intersectional crises that Calgarians in positions of vulnerability are facing, which means communities businesses and social service agencies are also better supported,” said Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek.

“The hybrid health and police hubs combined with harm reduction and recovery outreach teams will allow us to better dispatch the most appropriate service providers during situations of crisis.”

She said that the city and its partner agencies have been talking about wrap-around supports for decades, and that support has finally arrived.

“I cannot stress how big today’s announcement is, and how important it will be for so many Calgarians that are in need,” the mayor said.

“We have been talking about this for decades, and to finally be taking some steps in the direction of making sure that cares available in one site is huge.”