Responding to Homelessness in our Communities

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The City supports the work of Edmonton’s homeless-serving sector, providing funding to social agencies for street outreach and activating the extreme weather response to support vulnerable people. The City also responds to encampments on public land with the goal of connecting people with housing support and preventing large encampments.

Search for Emergency Shelters Who to Call for Assistance

Encampment Response

The City is supporting a coordinated approach by the Government of Alberta and Edmonton Police Services (EPS) to address public health and safety concerns, improve living conditions of Edmontonians experiencing homelessness and facilitate access to essential support services and emergency shelters. We provide transportation for individuals at encampments that choose to go to the Navigation and Support Centre or to another site, in addition to the cleanup of sites.

The Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is currently activated to ensure a coordinated response and to respond to concerns about encampment on public land.

The safety and well-being of all Edmontonians, especially vulnerable people experiencing homelessness remains our primary concern. Our response to encampments accepts that outdoor sheltering is not a safe or sustainable solution for managing homelessness. Encampments are a symptom of Edmonton’s shortage of safe, adequate and affordable housing, and they come with safety risks for vulnerable Edmontonians.

Encampment Response Process

Citizens are encouraged to call 311 or use the 311 App to report encampments. City park rangers are notified and investigate an encampment(s) within 3-5 days of the initial 311 report.

View Encampment Response Team Process

Encampment Risk Levels

Low-risk Encampment Response

If an encampment is low risk, the Encampment Response Team:

Works with agency partners to ensure outreach workers can attend the site and directly connect campers to housing and health support.
Sets a date for closure and clean-up. Campers are informed of the date in advance so they have time to gather their belongings and relocate to a shelter, bridge housing program or other location of their choice.

This process may take a few days or up to a few weeks, based on the risk and available resources.

Note: Closure and clean-up timelines are determined by the level of risk to people staying in the encampment as well as the surrounding community. Risks include the size of the encampment, biohazards, needles, garbage, fire, amount of materials present, propane tanks, and proximity to schools or playgrounds.

High-risk Encampment Response

If an encampment is high risk, Peace Officers and Edmonton Police Service:

Determine a closure and clean-up date within 1-3 days of investigation
Provide campers with information on available resources such as shelters, support services and transportation options in advance of enforcement

Minimum Emergency Shelter Standard

Emergency shelters are funded and regulated by the Government of Alberta, but the City spends significant time and resources responding to the impacts of gaps in the system. Many people experiencing homelessness can’t or won’t access shelters due to shelter conditions, barriers, limited storage space, and other concerns.

In August 2021, City Council approved the adoption of a Minimum Emergency Shelter Standard to supplement existing shelter expectations and to make it easier for people experiencing homelessness to access shelter. The goal is to work cooperatively with the homeless-serving sector to improve standards, reduce barriers, increase uptake of available space, and help more people exit homelessness by rapidly connecting them with housing.

Minimum Emergency Shelter Standards

Who Do You Call?

311: City of Edmonton Service
For any concerns citywide about homelessness on public land and discarded needles
911
For someone in serious distress or in cases of an emergency
211 - press 3: 24/7 Crisis Diversion
Non-emergency support for shelter, intoxication and mental health

What Can I Do to Help?

The Neighbourhood Empowerment Team (NET) offers tools and resources to help residents and businesses create safer neighbourhoods. This quick reference tool also provides information on how to help people experiencing homelessness and what to do if you see someone in distress.
NET also partnered with the Mustard Seed to provide virtual training on encouraging positive interactions with vulnerable people and those experiencing homelessness.

Long-term Solution to Homelessness

The long-term solution to homelessness is adequate, affordable housing and support. The City works closely with non-profit housing providers to support the development of affordable and supportive housing through land and grants. This work requires the support of the federal and provincial governments.

Learn more about Affordable and Supportive Housing

Shigella Outbreak Among Vulnerable Communities

Caring for our city’s most vulnerable population is a top priority. From the onset of the Shigella outbreak, the City of Edmonton has been working with Alberta Health Services and partner organizations to put in place the necessary measures and resources to help stop the rapid spread of Shigella in the inner city.

These measures included working with our partners to increase access to hygiene items. Also, we staffed both permanent and mobile washrooms with attendants to provide citizens using the washrooms with access to hand sanitizer, sanitary wipes, clean clothing and bottled water.

Learn more about Shigella

Temporary Mobile Washrooms

Mobile public washrooms are staffed with Boyle Street Ventures (Hire Good) attendants who oversee their use and maintenance to help ensure a positive user experience.

Hygiene Hub - The Mustard Seed - 10635 96 Street: Please note, the Hygiene Hub will cease operations on August 31, 2024. Nearby public washrooms can be found at Kinistinâw Park (10249 96 Street NW) and Alberta Avenue Park (9210 118 Avenue NW). Both washrooms operate from 10am-9pm and close seasonally during winter.

Contact Us

311 Contact Centre

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If you are calling from outside of Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Phone	311
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