Affordability

Goal Three: Edmonton is a caring, inclusive and affordable community

Edmontonians care for each other.

They want a city where all people have opportunities to achieve their aspirations.

Residents appreciate a caring community is one that extends itself to all residents including vulnerable populations. From the simplicity of smiling at a neighbour to encouraging others to get involved in community activities, Edmontonians expect their municipal government to join them in creating a caring, inclusive and affordable community.

They want people services that are affordable and inclusive so that all residents feel a sense of belonging. Although education, housing, health and income security are the mandates of other orders of government, Edmontonians encourage their municipal government to advocate for supports and preventive services to allow full participation in community life for all residents.

Edmontonians understand their city is changing and evolving.

They look to their local government to create opportunities to promote intercultural awareness and eliminate racism.

Edmontonians expect their local government to help create a diverse and inclusive society. The Edmonton Urban Aboriginal Accord is an example of this. The Accord is the first in Canada to respond to the needs and aspirations of urban Aboriginal Peoples.

Through this Accord, Edmontonians express a desire to work with Aboriginal organizations to recognize and support Aboriginal participation in all aspects of urban life.

From people services and programs that enrich the lives of families and individuals, to those that provide critical support at times of individual or collective crisis, Edmontonians value the people services that demonstrate and contribute to a caring society. Edmontonians expect their city government to embody this sense of caring and inclusiveness in delivering its programs and services.

Objectives:

3.1 The City of Edmonton nurtures a caring and inclusive society.

Strategic Policy Directions

The City of Edmonton:

• Provides and partners to deliver services and programs to vulnerable populations.
• Provides its people services so that they are accessible and available to Edmontonians.
• Provides information to Edmontonians to encourage participation in City programs and encourage Edmontonians to access City services.
• Delivers programs and services in response to changing needs and best practices.
• Uses civic declarations and celebrations to promote inclusion and respect for citizens.
• Partners with individuals and organizations to eliminate racism.
• Partners with Aboriginal organizations to recognize and support Aboriginal participation in all aspects of urban life.
• Promotes intercultural awareness and understanding.
• Promotes volunteerism as a means of enhancing a caring community.
• Advocates for barrier free infrastructure.

3.2 The City of Edmonton increases opportunities to improve the lives of its vulnerable population.

Strategic Policy Directions

The City of Edmonton:

• Provides, partners and advocates for resources for preventive social services.
• Partners with community organizations to increase access to preventive services¹.
• Partners with organizations to prevent further victimization of vulnerable populations.
• Promotes innovative community initiatives to strengthen the capacities of vulnerable populations².
• Engages stakeholders, other orders of government and community organizations to reduce poverty.
• Advocates to reduce poverty and its effects.

3.3 The City of Edmonton reduces physical and financial barriers to housing, transportation, libraries, recreation, social and leisure opportunities for residents.

Strategic Policy Directions

The City of Edmonton:

• Provides, partners and advocates for a variety of housing programs to meet the diverse needs of Edmontonians.
• Provides, partners and advocates to prevent and eliminate homelessness.
• Provides a variety of fare products to encourage use of public transit.
• Provides affordable access to its public libraries, recreation, parks, leisure and social programs.

3.4 The City of Edmonton lives its commitment to create a caring community.

Strategic Policy Directions

The City of Edmonton:

• Provides programs and services to the highest standards of citizen satisfaction.
• Provides professional, caring and respectful service and programs.
• Provides trained and supported staff prepared to meet the diverse needs of Edmontonians.
• Promotes and recognizes exemplary citizen services.

Glossary

1. Preventive Services

• It refers to a range of interventions that address risk factors at the individual and community level. It includes community-based programs and services.

2. Vulnerable Populations

• Refer to population groups in a particular cultural, historical, political and social context that make them susceptible to adverse social conditions. (Canadian Institutes for Health Research)