Advocacy coalition says more protections needed for vulnerable Edmontonians this winter

An encampment can be seen in Edmonton in a file photo from 2022. (File)

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 there are more Edmontonians 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.

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."

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 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.

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

"When we see people's belongings taken away and they have no form of shelter to protect them from the elements, and they're losing their limbs, they're getting sick, they're getting frostbite, that's more cost to taxpayers."

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.

CTV News Edmonton has reached out to Minister Nixon and the City of Edmonton and is awaiting a response.

The 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

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.