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Responding to Homelessness in our Communities

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Up to 500 people sleep outside on any given night in Edmonton. Faced with a shortage of affordable and supportive housing, along with barriers to accessing shelters, individuals live in encampments throughout our River Valley and public spaces across the city.

The Encampment Response Team (ERT) addresses encampments on public land in partnership with Homeward Trust, Boyle Street Community Services and Bissell Centre. Edmonton Police Service and Edmonton Fire Rescue Services are also consulted.

ERT focuses on closing and cleaning up high risk encampments to ensure the safety and well being of individuals and to help connect people sleeping outside with housing and support services. 

Encampment Response during COVID-19

The City schedules closures and clean-ups of encampments on public land. The closure and clean-up of encampments is prioritized based on the level of risk posed to individuals in the encampment and the surrounding community. City of Edmonton staff and community partners conducting outreach into encampments continue to:

  • Map and track people who are homeless and sleeping outdoors in all areas of the city

  • Conduct wellness checks by identifying who needs basic services such as food and healthcare

  • Identify individuals who may be showing symptoms of COVID-19 and connect them to assessment and treatment

  • Hand out information on how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 

Cleanup operations staff are in regular contact with Peace Officers on encampments to coordinate cleanup and to ensure encampment occupants are adhering to Alberta Health Services guidelines. Abandoned encampments continue to be mapped, investigated and sent for cleanup.

Report An Encampment

If you have concerns about an encampment or other issues like discarded needles, call 311 or use the 311 App.  To report a fire, medical emergency, or crime, call 911.

Here are other resources and ways you can help.

Support for Vulnerable Edmontonians in Extreme Weather Conditions

Caring for our city’s most vulnerable becomes especially critical in extreme weather conditions.

The City, Homeward Trust and community partners work together to determine when to enact the City’s extreme weather protocol. For more information, visit edmonton.ca/extremeweather

Access To Transit

Providing Accessible Transit Here (PATH) is a City of Edmonton program that provides free monthly transit passes to individuals who are homeless or are at high risk of homelessness.

Edmonton's Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness

Edmonton’s Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness focuses on a ‘housing first’ approach where people experiencing homelessness are quickly found a home, and then given the support they need to keep that home. Here is the latest data that captures the most accurate picture of homelessness in Edmonton at any one time. 

For more information, visit homewardtrust.ca

Related Links

Edmonton Police Services in Your Community

Boyle Street Community Services

City of Edmonton Park Rangers

Neighbourhood Empowerment Team

Homeward Trust Edmonton

For More Information

311 Contact Centre

Online Contact 311 Online
Telephone

In Edmonton: 311
Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
TTY 780-944-5555

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