Advocacy coalition says more protections needed for vulnerable Edmontonians this winter

Ten advocacy groups have come together to demand more protections for vulnerable Edmontonians ahead of colder temperatures.

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The coalition released a joint statement on Thursday, listing several demands it said will protect the lives, well-being and human rights of unhoused Edmontonians this winter.

"A lot of us from these organizations that signed the statement, we have made a lot of meaningful connections and relationships with these people," said Rachelle Gladue, co-founder of harm-reduction agency Tawâw Outreach Collective.

"They're our friends, they're our family, and we don't want to see them harmed. We don't want to see them dead."

According to Edmonton's lead housing agency, Homeward Trust, the number of people living unhoused or in unstable housing had risen by 47 per cent between January and July of this year.

Last week, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services Jason Nixon said he doesn't believe more Edmontonians are living unhoused or in shelters than last year.

Instead, he believes the increase in numbers from last year can be attributed to improved data gathering and an increase in the number of people receiving services.

"To be clear, we're not seeing a 47-per-cent increase in homeless people," Nixon said at the time. "I think for most of the public, when they hear that, they're thinking of people living on the streets, and that's just not the reality."

Of those counted on the By Name List, 2,259 had no permanent home and 1,752 people were living outdoors and in shelters.

Homeward Trust agreed the increase could be – in part – a reflection of more awareness around available services, but said the rise remains significant and has left advocates concerned over the extent of need in the community.

Calls for action

The coalition believes rising rent and food costs, along with long wait lists for affordable housing, are behind the steady rise in people who are living either unhoused or in non-permanent housing.

The loss of funding for outreach services and encampment tear-downs are making matters worse, it adds.

"Eviction-first responses to encampments have caused irreparable harm," the statement read.

"The loss of belongings and security for this vulnerable community inflicts immense shame and harm, pushing people into hidden spaces – alleys and other areas where support services cannot reach them, placing their lives at even greater risk."

In a statement on Thursday, the city said the risk in encampments rises in winter and teams would continue to direct displaced residents to shelters, warming centres and other winter resources before sites are cleared.

The letter includes a list of more than 17 demands for all levels of government.

Among them are calls for outreach funding, rent and vacancy controls for private rentals and higher AISH and income support amounts.

The city said it shared concerns over the loss of funding for programs like Overdose Prevention and Response Teams, but said calls for federal and provincial funding were unsuccessful.

Edmonton outreach transit teams and peace officers are trained to administer naloxone and will continue to respond to overdose incidents.

Winter concerns

The group also wants to see Edmonton adjust its Extreme Weather Policy to come into effect at -10 C or below, and for police and city staff to halt encampment evictions in situations where risks can't be mitigated through services like washrooms or waste disposal.

Currently, the city's extreme cold response is activated when temperatures drop to -20 C or lower with windchill for three consecutive days.

Gladue said that's not good enough.

"We still see people suffering the consequences from having amputations," she said, adding that cold-related injury and illness add strain to the health-care system.

"They're losing their limbs, they're getting sick, they're getting frostbite, that's more cost to taxpayers."

The city said no changes would be made to the response this winter, but the policy – including temperature thresholds – will be reviewed in 2025.

"The policy was informed by research and engagement on what service providers and other municipalities are doing during extreme weather conditions," the city said.

Homeward Trust will complete its Point in Time Count and Survey in October, which the agency said will offer more detailed information on the size and complexity of the community.

Nixon, in a statement to CTV News Edmonton Thursday evening, said the provincial government "is committed to providing supports to Edmonton’s most vulnerable, and we will not be lectured by activists who would rather keep vulnerable Albertans in freezing, dangerous tents."

"While seeking to preserve encampments, these activists are prioritizing their agenda over the needs of Edmonton’s most vulnerable. Alberta’s government will not, under any circumstances revert to allowing encampments to endanger the lives of at-risk Edmontonians," Nixon said in the statement, adding the province has provided $83 million in funding this year for homelessness supports and shelter operational funding in the city, including $42.5 million for up to 1,800 shelter spaces and around-the-clock operation.

"That is why earlier this year the province opened the Navigation and Support Centre which has since provided life-changing services to over 3,620 individuals."

The coalition's letter was signed by the following agencies:

• National Rights to Housing Network
• Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness
• Public Interest Alberta
• John Humphrey Centre for Peace and HUman Rights
• Coalition for Justice and Human Rights
• Tawâw Outreach Collective
• 4B Harm Reduction Society
• Water Warriors YEG
• HARES Outreach
• Moms Stop the Harm