In the first half of 2023, Edmonton saw a significant increase in the removal of homeless encampments, with over 2,600 dismantled—double the number removed in the same period last year. Despite this increase, the number of homeless individuals has grown markedly. As of June, 3,876 people were homeless, up from 2,760 in January, reflecting a 40% rise. Among the homeless, those unsheltered increased from 669 in January to 989 in June.
The city’s efforts to address homelessness include a crackdown on encampments, which began in January and coincided with the opening of a provincial navigation and support center. This center offers various services, including shelter placement and health support. However, only about 10% of individuals at removed sites accepted transportation to the center.
Critics argue that the encampment removals and related policies are exacerbating the problem. Jim Gurnett of the Coalition on Housing and Homelessness and Puneeta McBryan from the Edmonton Downtown Business Association have expressed concerns that the city’s approach is ineffective and worsening the situation. Complaints about increased homelessness in public spaces persist, and city councillors are pushing for better data and more resources for both encampment removal and support services.
The provincial government has reported that over 2,960 people have accessed the navigation center since its opening, with 1,430 connected to housing and shelter. Despite this, city officials acknowledge challenges in keeping up with the high volume of complaints and managing the ongoing crisis.
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