‘We are facing a crisis:’ Edmonton shelter occupancy reaches 97 percent as the province prepares to announce additional funding Wednesday

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The city of Edmonton is struggling to increase shelter spaces overnight, as system-wide occupancy reached 97 percent Sunday night with winter weather hitting the city.

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With a projected need for 427 additional beds during the winter, the city is requesting additional funding from the provincial government to provide shelter spaces during the day and night.

According to data from the Homeward Trust, 751 shelter beds were accessed Sunday night out of the current capacity of 773 beds in six shelters for the night. But the city estimates 1,200 Edmontonians will need shelter this winter, leaving a significant gap as the weather turns colder.

Reliance on shelters has increased since the beginning of the month, but capacity has remained relatively stagnant. Compared to last winter, accommodation capacity has been reduced by 31 percent.

Mayor Amarjeet Sohi said he has been working tirelessly on the issue, most recently meeting with Prime Minister Jason Kenney and Minister of Social and Community Services Jason Luan to lobby on the concerns, but they have not taken decisions. Those answers may come Wednesday as Kenney and Sohi are scheduled to hold a press conference on “funding and the new steps being taken to help support Albertans who are homeless and experiencing domestic violence during the COVID-19 pandemic “.

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Sohi said she is asking for dollars to supply the additional beds during the winter months, which would include the Mustard Seed shelters on the south side, the continuation of the Spectrum Building shelter on the Northlands grounds, and the operation of a 24-hour shelter, the 7 days a week in Commonwealth. Stadium with capacity for 150 people. He did not offer details about the announcement coming from the province on Wednesday, but said he is optimistic that the necessary support will come.

“I was obsessed with this file from day one. I made this my number one priority and in my first call with the prime minister two days after my election, I emphasized the importance of housing and addressing homelessness in Edmonton, ”Sohi told reporters. “We are facing a crisis. It breaks my heart to look out the window and see people struggling, people struggling to find a place to keep warm. “

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Currently there are funding requests with the province that, if approved, would increase the capacity to sleep to 850 spaces, still leaving a gap of 350 beds. Jackie Foord, social development manager for the city branch, said Commonwealth Stadium is available for use and there are other housing options, such as the Salvation Army, where space can be added.

“Now we find ourselves more and more looking at the shelter numbers. Whereas before the pandemic, our main concern was trying to mitigate the impact of the camps, ”he said. “Now I see a lot of people on the social development team counting these refuge beds every night, trying to signal if we have enough refuge beds with the provincial governments.”

The city has expanded three shelter spaces during the day through the end of the year with $ 1.6 million in additional funding. It is estimated that $ 3.3 million will be needed to extend programming through the remainder of the winter. Shelter services during the day provide meals, clothing, showers and laundry services, as well as support for harm reduction, housing and addiction.

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Reference-edmontonjournal.com

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