United Way Central Alberta (UWCA) has released feedback from a rapid community survey from more than 185 Red Deerians experiencing homelessness or housing instability regarding the proposed Project Nexus shelter location and rezoning.

United Way supported this engagement initiative to ensure individuals most likely to use shelter services had an opportunity to share their perspectives during the City’s public zoning process.

Community Survey – Final with Appendix

Community Survey- QUESTIONS

Participants received a modest $25 honorarium in recognition of their time and lived expertise, a standard practice in community research and engagement.

“Decisions that directly affect vulnerable people are stronger when informed by lived experience,” said Chelsea O’Donoghue, CEO of United Way Central Alberta. “Gathering that input helps inform discussion, it does not advocate for any specific outcome.”
Survey questions were reviewed by experienced external community-based practitioners to ensure they were appropriate, respectful, and not leading. The full survey and results are being made publicly available to support transparent community dialogue.

Key Findings

● More than 185 individuals participated, many currently using shelters or sleeping outdoors.
● Responses reflected a range of views, with accessibility, transportation, safety, and weather-related exposure emerging as the most frequently cited concerns.
● Strong support emerged for integrated services such as housing navigation, employment support, mental health services, and access to basic amenities including bathrooms, showers, laundry, and storage within a shelter setting.

United Way Central Alberta is not advocating for or against the Project Nexus proposal. The organization’s role was to ensure broad lived-experience input was part of the public conversation.

Indigenous Representation and Data Respect

Approximately 40% of respondents identified as First Nations, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous.
This survey was not designed only for Indigenous responders, however we honour that they trusted the collective of United Way volunteers to share their knowledge and perspectives in this way. Their voices are included respectfully to help inform community conversations about services that directly affect them. Indigenous peoples are disproportionately affected by homelessness across Canada, making thoughtful and respectful engagement especially important when communities consider solutions. Alignment with United Way’s Community Impact Work United Way Central Alberta’s Community Impact Strategy emphasizes community-informed solutions, reducing barriers for vulnerable populations, and supporting collaborative approaches to complex social challenges. Facilitating lived-experience input aligns with that commitment.

The Cause: Nothing About Us, Without Us

The 10 person Collective of United Way volunteers was created to engage Red Deerians with precarious housing or no housing in this February’s City of Red Deer’s Zoning Public Engagement process. The Collective’s project was created and implemented by its members, independent of agencies, who are deeply connected to Red Deer and include social workers, community developers, people with experience working with and for Red Deerians without housing, community-based researchers, and people with lived experience of homelessness, sex work, drug use and living in poverty.

The full online version of the survey can be found here.

Please note – 2 graphs are missing their scale in the online version. For the question “How would you rate the length of this walk as part of your regular routine?” 1 is ‘most UNcomfortable’ to 10 ‘most comfortable’ For the question “Would you consider accessing this location in extreme weather?” 1 is ‘unlikely’ and 10 is ‘likely’.

Media Contact: Chelsea O’Donoghue CEO, United Way Central Alberta 403-347-0513 chelseaodonoghue@caunitedway.ca