Edmonton city councillors discuss provincial homelessness strategies

The recommendations include creating a fund to create more housing, a platform between social agencies and landlords, and a peer support service.

Edmonton city councillors are discussing what the Alberta government’s role could look like in its homelessness response.

The talks come as a city-led task force lays out its recommendations to give more people access to housing.

Back on the agenda for councillors on Monday was figuring out how to improve services and access to housing for Edmontonians.

“You can go out almost into any community and see the impacts we’re facing right now, and the need for a more direct plan,” said ward Nakota Isga Coun. Andrew Knack.

In July 2024, councillors told administration they wanted to have the Alberta government take the lead on homeless supports because that’s provincial jurisdiction.

This report says that idea has some practical problems with things like contracts and it says the province “did not articulate a willingness to assume sole responsibility for homelessness and affordable housing programs and services currently administered by the city.”

Knack says it’s a difficult joint effort to navigate.

“We need them to say ‘yes, we want to be collaborative’ and I want to say yes back to them, ‘we’re ready to work with you on these things.’ But somebody needs to take the lead and truly we don’t have the legislative authority to take the lead on these things,” said Knack.