Edmonton may soon implement new regulations for shelter operators, pending city council approval. These regulations would cap the number of overnight stays in a year-round shelter at 125, with the possibility of exceeding this limit for up to 90 days during emergencies. To maintain community safety and dignity for users, shelters would not be permitted near heavy industrial sites.
City council requested these amendments to the zoning bylaw last September due to concerns about the impact large shelters have on users and neighborhoods. Supporters of the limit, like Councillor Erin Rutherford, emphasized the need for shelters to provide a comfortable and dignified environment, as many individuals prefer staying in encampments over communal sleeping areas.
The proposed 125-person limit is based on best practices for emergency shelter space. Although the new zoning bylaw allows shelters in all business employment areas, some councillors believe industrial zones lack adequate amenities for shelter clients. Most existing shelters comply with the proposed limit except for two larger facilities.
Concerns have been raised by providers about the financial implications of building new smaller shelters, which could cost $6 to $10 million each. Currently, 4,896 people in Edmonton are homeless, with 805 staying in shelters, while others are provisionally accommodated or unsheltered.
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