West Edmonton eyes 209-bed, $7.5 million winter shelter by council

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An additional 209 shelter spaces could soon open in West Edmonton if the city council finalizes a funding plan next week.

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All five members of the city council’s executive committee, at an emotional meeting Wednesday, pledged $7.5 million to open temporary shelters for the winter, despite it being the state’s job to intervene. They agreed that paying was the right thing to do. The plans have not yet been finalized, but mayor Andre Corbould said he expects the city council to approve it on Nov. 30, and Jasper Place soon. He said he would work with the wellness center to begin preparations.

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Ward Odaimin Coun speaks through tears. Ann Stevenson said not to step up now will cost lives.

“We talk a lot about budgets and costs of different things. I think what we’ve really seen this past month is the price of doing nothing… when it comes to lives, when it comes to limbs. is dignity when it comes to the safety of our entire community,” she said at the conference.

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“I have a video of a horrific fire going on[in the camp]. This does not apply to any Edmontonian, it affects us all.”

Ward Nakata Isuga County. Andrew Knack was visibly upset as he said the council had no choice but to support this.

“It’s an exhausting conversation. We’ll continue to do what we have to do as a city. It’s not in our jurisdiction, but doing the right thing and keeping people from dying is what we have to do.” is.

Last month, the state agreed to pay to open an additional 450 temporary shelter beds (350 opened as of Wednesday). This winter’s total is 1,072.

But since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the number of people without permanent shelter in Edmonton has nearly doubled, with 2,650 people on the Homeward Trust’s list by name as of mid-October. It has been. Of this figure, about 1,250 people self-identify as sleeping in shelters or outdoors.

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Corbould told councilors that the additional 209 beds will bridge the gap between available shelter beds and inaccessible beds.

Funding for this shelter space comes from the Financial Stability Reserve (FSR). This is the same pool of funds that city officials advised at a closed-door meeting a few weeks ago not to cover the costs of shelters.

Asked during a tense on-camera discussion why this was recommended now but not before, Corbould said a lot has changed since then.

“Going forward, we want to make sure we address these gaps. That’s fundamentally changing, and we’re getting closer and closer to winter,” he told the media during the break.

The Alberta government did not respond to questions about funding shelter space beyond what was previously announced.

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The province also didn’t directly answer questions about whether Alberta would commit to a long-term funding solution, so no emergency shelter beds will be needed next year.

Hunter Barril — spokesperson for Jeremy Nixon’s Minister for Older People, Communities and Social Services — said in an email that shelters are for this government, as evidenced by the funding of 450 temporary shelter spaces announced last month. I write that it is important and a priority.

“The Government of Alberta recognizes the importance of ensuring that all Albertans, including those within Edmonton, have access to safe and warm shelter. We have taken historic steps to address , mental health and addiction issues,” Baril wrote.

“I am confident that by working together, we will find solutions to ensure that all vulnerable Albertans receive the support they need.”

lboothby@postmedia.com

@lauby