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 also support planning efforts.
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.
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 staff and community partners conducting outreach into encampments continue to:
- Map and track people who are homeless and sleeping outdoors in 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.
