Ignored and Abandoned - Homelessness In Edmonton

A community member recently commented on the sorry state of the Homeless Memorial Statue and Homeless Memorial Plaza in downtown Edmonton:

"It unfortunately served as an example of how low priority this area seems to the city and even how Edmontonians view and prioritize the

issues of homelessness in general."

Sadly, we couldn't agree more. Issues around homelessness are not a priority, except, it seems, for the over-policing and constant harassment of people with no shelter trying to create their own.

The City of Edmonton is reviewing its budget priorities for the next four years, and ECOHH provided some advice:

"we want Council to start a housing funding formula for the 2027–2030 budget cycle to improve housing stability, health and safety for all Edmontonians—especially residents who experience homelessness and core housing need—by dedicating at least 5% of expenditures for both the capital and operating budgets towards affordable housing and homelessness reduction projects that do not involve policing or bylaw enforcement. This level of investment, while it may seem unworkable, is what is needed to end homelessness" 

You can read the details of the full submission here. We hope the City Councillors and Mayor listen, so the living conditions of our community members improves, and we can do our part in realizing Canada's committment to make Housing a Human Right.