The City of Edmonton is preparing to unveil a new plan to address homelessness, even as troubling new data emerges about the number of deaths among people experiencing homelessness. The Community and Public Services committee received a report revealing that the number of deaths of homeless individuals in Edmonton had increased significantly, from 30 in 2017 to 302 in 2023. While the data is not directly comparable due to improved data collection methods, councillors expressed alarm at the numbers. Ward Nakota Isga Councillor Andrew Knack highlighted the urgency of the situation, comparing it to other types of tragedies that would prompt immediate action from the community.
Ward Dene Councillor Aaron Paquette delivered an emotional speech at the committee meeting, expressing frustration at the lack of response to the suffering of those experiencing homelessness. He called for action from the council to address the issue and expressed his disbelief at the apparent indifference to the deaths of hundreds of individuals without stable housing. The council implemented a 10-year plan to reduce homelessness in 2006, which initially showed progress in reducing the number of people on the streets. However, the trend reversed in 2017, and the pandemic exacerbated the situation, doubling the number of homeless individuals in the city. Currently, Homeward Trust estimates that there are 3,200 people experiencing homelessness in Edmonton.
In response to the growing crisis of homelessness in the city, the city is working on a new plan that will focus on providing up to 1,700 new supportive housing units, 250 transitional units, and 600 caseload spaces over the next five years. Councillors are calling on the province to step up and fulfill the necessary requirements to address homelessness effectively. They are seeking a detailed plan from the province outlining how and when the housing units will be built and operated. The city has allocated $183 million in the current four-year budget cycle for housing units, but advocates like Nadine Chalifoux emphasize the importance of meaningful consultation with the public and individuals with lived experience to ensure the plan’s success.
Chalifoux stressed the need for a greater focus on transitional housing in Edmonton and urged an end to the practice of finger-pointing without meaningful action. She emphasized the importance of engaging with those directly impacted by homelessness to develop effective solutions that address the root causes of the issue. The full homelessness plan is set to be released in June, and it is hoped that it will provide a comprehensive strategy to address the crisis of homelessness in Edmonton. Despite the challenges and alarming statistics, there is a sense of urgency and determination among councillors and advocates to push for meaningful change and support for those in need.
