Public Washrooms Accessibility Grant

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The Public Washroom Accessibility Grant is a part of the Citywide Public Washroom Strategy which aims to improve access to safer and cleaner washrooms for all Edmontonians and visitors.

In areas or districts where public washrooms are not easily accessible, the City recognizes that businesses and Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), as well as not-for-profit organizations, can play a significant role in improving access to washrooms for Edmontonians by opening their washrooms to non-paying patrons.

The Washroom Accessibility Grant is intended to support initiatives that improve washroom accessibility for Edmontonians and offset additional costs of providing and managing washrooms that are usable and accessible by the public.

Apply for Grant Download Grant Guidelines

Budget Allocation

Organizations such as private businesses, BIAs, non-profit organizations and community leagues can apply for one $5,000 grant for initiatives and efforts that improve accessibility to public washrooms. No type of organization or corporate entity is excluded from grant eligibility.

A maximum of $50,000.00 in grant funding is available.

Funding Priorities

For Private Businesses:
To keep washrooms open to non-paying patrons. See Requirements for Applicants that are Private Businesses.

For BIAs, Non-profit Organizations and Community Leagues:
To place mobile washrooms in areas with high public washroom needs or support initiatives that increase access to public washrooms.

Requirements for Applicants that are Private Businesses

If successful, applicants must agree to the following:

Washrooms will be open to both paying and non-paying patrons for a period of 6 months from the day the funding is disbursed
No person will not be excluded from using washrooms during business operating hours

Expenses Eligibility

Eligible Expenses

Eligible expenses include:

Custodial, supplies or cleaning expenses
Waste removal or servicing expenses (for mobile washrooms only)
Expenses related to monitoring or attending (staffing) the washrooms for safety and cleanliness
Expenses for washroom rentals
Expenses for washrooms maintenance (for example: repair or maintenance of washrooms to make the washrooms accessible for public use)
Expenses related to replacing vandalized or damaged mobile washrooms
Expenses related to making washrooms accessible to the public

Ineligible Expense

Expenses related to litter pick up and waste disposal
Any expenses not related to improving access to public washrooms, as determined at the sole discretion of the City

Application Process

Applications intake period: March 14-April 15, 2024. Successful applicants will be contacted by May 1, 2024.

Submit Application

If you require assistance with your application, please contact washroomstrategy@edmonton.ca.

Funding Restrictions

Funding is limited and the City reserves the right to:

Accept applications on a first-come, first-served basis based on the review process
Refuse an application on any basis it considers reasonable

Incomplete applications will not be processed.

Application Review

All applications will be assessed based on washroom needs and contributions to public washroom accessibility in the community where the grant is intended to be utilized. Factors that will be considered in selecting successful applications include:

The severity of washroom needs in the area
The severity of public urination and defecation in the area
Number of available and open public washrooms in the area
Planned or expected number of outdoor community events
Approximate or average walking distance to the nearest public washrooms

Contact Us

Email	washroomstrategy@edmonton.ca