News Releases

Plan to End Homelessness
[January 30, 2009]

Edmonton Committee launches Plan to End Homelessness

EDMONTON — Strategies to end homelessness over the next 10 years will help Edmonton’s most vulnerable citizens to live healthier, more productive lives and save money in the long run, according to the Edmonton Committee to End Homelessness, which released A Place to Call Home, its 10-year plan to end homelessness in Edmonton in January 2009.

The plan recommends a major shift from "managing" homelessness through shelters and other short-term emergency services, to a more cost-effective approach of focused intervention, housing and support services, and prevention programs.

"We are very fortunate in this city to have strong, collaborative social agencies which have been very supportive of our planning process and are keen to get started on these new programs," said committee chair Linda Hughes.

The plan sets out aggressive targets and strategies around five goals and seeks funding from the provincial and federal government to support the plan. It calls on Edmonton City Council to lead the effort to eliminate homelessness in the city.

Highlights include:

Creating a Housing First Action Centre to coordinate the delivery of a Housing First program by securing units in the private rental market, and contracting with social service agencies for the delivery of around-the-clock services.

Partnering with private landlords to secure 800 units of supported housing within the first three years, with 300 additional units of supported housing in place by December 31, 2013.

Facilitating development of 1,000 units of supportive housing for homeless people with severe needs and 1,650 modestly sized new housing units.

Creating a Housing Link that will help people in crisis find safe and suitable housing.

Developing prevention programs, including an initiative to ensure that no one is discharged from an institution without a place to live.

Establishing a Housing Commission: a volunteer, community board to champion the plan and oversee implementation.

"By the year 2020, when this plan is fully implemented and running at maximum capacity, the cost of dealing with this issue will actually be lower than if the status quo is maintained," says Hughes. "If we do nothing, we’ll have spent a lot of money and thousands of people will still be living on the streets. By implementing this plan, we’ll save money and put an end to chronic homelessness."

The committee projects that the cost of implementing its plan will be approximately $969 million over 10 years. This figure includes operating costs of $567.5 million and capital costs of $401.6 million.

A Place to Call Home reflects extensive input from approximately 800 Edmontonians, representing 75 different organizations, including people who are homeless, agencies that help the homeless, the Aboriginal community, business leaders, property developers and landlords, and the three orders of government.

The Edmonton Committee to End Homelessness was established by Mayor Stephen Mandel in January 2008 to fully explore the issue of homelessness and develop long-term, cost-effective solutions for Edmonton. The committee is made up of leading citizens representing government, business, labour, the Aboriginal community, health care and social services.

For a copy of the report and to obtain additional background information, please visit www.endedmontonhomelessness.com

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