Funding may come through next week to establish an overnight shelter this winter for homeless youth.

A committee made up of community agencies has been meeting to find a solution after youth as young as 14 started using the Winter Inn shelter last winter. The program was set up for adults.

“Everything is good to go, except for funding,” said committee member Stacey Carmichael, who could not announce any details.

Red Deer has one youth shelter, the 49th Street Youth Shelter, which has eight beds and youths must obtain permission from their parents to use stay there. It is also used for foster children in transition.

Carmichael said it’s often full and sometimes youth aren’t accepted because they are too rowdy or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

“They have rules and not all the kids fit into the rules.”

The only other option is to connect youth with the province’s Child Welfare Department.

“The agencies are guessing about 20 kids are homeless on any given night in Red Deer, on the streets. So no matter what, there’s not enough youth shelter beds.”

The committee is waiting to hear if a community group will fund a mat program, which is not the best for youth but at least it would keep them warm, she said.

“That’s certainly not the long-term solution or what we really want to see happen. But it’s something we’re trying to get established for this winter, at least.

“Even now, it’s hitting below zero. It’s pretty darn cold out there. And we know that people can die outside in our winters.”

Carmichael said agencies funded by provincial or federal dollars have declined to fund the shelter.

“We’re left with submitting an application to a community organization. We’re hopeful that will pan out. If not, I’m not sure what we’re going to do.

“They are just kids.”

On Wednesday, the Winter Inn, run by Central Alberta’s Safe Harbour Society for Health and Housing, will open its doors and will run each night until April 30.

Four churches ­— ­the Salvation Army, Seventh-day Adventist Community Centre, St. Luke’s Anglican Church and Grace Community Fellowship — will take turns accommodating the homeless.

Winter Inn operates on a first-come, first-serve basis from 7:30 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. It’s barrier free, so it’s open to people who use alcohol or drugs and there are no checks to see if anyone is wanted on a police warrant.

“Generally most of the people under the influence, we would try to direct here to the mat program,” said Colleen Markus, Safe Harbour’s director of health.

“Last year, it wasn’t an issue. They had maybe 25 per cent who were under the influence at the Winter Inn.”

The inn is prepared to take a maximum of 25 people nightly. But Markus doesn’t know what to expect since more affordable housing exists, like the Housing First project at the Buffalo.

The next step is to put out the call for Winter Inn volunteers willing to help out at the Inn or help collect socks, hats or mitts for people in need. To volunteer, call Winter Inn co-ordinator Laura Smith at Safe Harbour at 347-0181.

Contact Susan Zielinski at szielinski@reddeeradvocate.com