Responding to Homelessness in our Communities

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The City of Edmonton is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone in our community, including people experiencing homelessness.

Encampments on public lands can pose significant health and safety risks for those living in them and the broader community. Our goal is to compassionately assist people in finding safer alternatives while keeping public spaces safe, clean and accessible for all Edmontonians.

The City supports the work of Edmonton’s homeless-serving sector by providing funding to social agencies for outreach services that help unsheltered people connect with the housing process and activating the extreme weather response to support vulnerable people.

Find Emergency Shelters Learn Who to Call for Help

How the City Responds to Encampments

Our Encampment Response Team (ERT) works 7 days a week to address encampments on public lands. This team includes Community Peace Officers (Park Rangers), members of the Edmonton Police Service and City Operations cleanup crews.

When we identify an encampment, our first step is to assess the site and offer support to the individuals sheltering there. This includes offering transportation to safe indoor spaces, such as the Province's Navigation and Support Centre, where people can access resources and referrals to housing support programs.

When an encampment is unoccupied, our crews work to safely clean the site and restore the area.

encampment photo

How to Report an Encampment

Reporting helps the City address potential safety and health risks for both the people in the encampment and the surrounding community.

If you find someone in serious distress or in cases of an emergency:
Call 911.

Non-Emergency Support For Shelter, Intoxication And Mental Health

If you see a person regularly sleeping in public areas or need non-emergency support for shelter, intoxication and mental health:

Call 211 - press 3: 24/7 Crisis Diversion

For Encampment, Tent/Shelter on Public Property, Discarded Needles

If you come across an encampment, tent or shelter on public property, or discarded needles:

Call 311, report online or via the 311 app: City of Edmonton Service

City Park Rangers are notified and will investigate the encampment as soon as possible. Education on opportunities to access resources and appropriate housing through the Navigation and Support Centre will be provided. Once the encampment is closed, Park Maintenance crews will clean up and restore the site.

How You Can Help

The Neighbourhood Empowerment Team (NET) offers tools and resources to help residents and businesses create safer neighbourhoods.

The Neighbourhood Response Guide also provides information on how to help people experiencing homelessness and what to do if you see someone in distress.

NET also partnered with the Mustard Seed to provide virtual training on encouraging positive interactions with vulnerable people and those experiencing homelessness.

Edmontonians can also help welcome affordable housing in their neighbourhoods to support efforts to end homelessness.

Emergency Shelter Best Practices Guide

In fall 2024, Administration published an updated Emergency Shelter Best Practices Guide to replace the 2021 Standard. The new Guide recognizes that the City of Edmonton does not fund or regulate emergency shelter operations, but can continue to communicate evidence-based learnings with the homeless-serving sector to improve standards, reduce barriers, increase uptake of available space and help more people exit homelessness.

Learn More About This Guide

Emergency Shelter Best Practices Guide

Long-term Solution to Homelessness

The long-term solution to homelessness is providing adequate, affordable housing with appropriate supports. The City works closely with non-profit housing providers to support the development of affordable and supportive housing through land contributions and grants programs. This work requires continued collaboration and funding from both the federal and provincial governments to ensure sustainable progress in addressing homelessness.

supportive housing

Shigella in Vulnerable Communities

From the onset of the Shigella outbreak, the City of Edmonton has partnered with Alberta Health Services and local organizations to implement measures aimed at controlling the spread of the infection in the inner city.

These measures include working with our partners to improve access to hygiene items and deploying staff to both permanent and mobile washrooms. These attendants provide hand sanitizer, sanitary wipes, clean clothing, and bottled water to those using the facilities, ensuring immediate access to critical hygiene resources.

Learn more about Shigella

Please note: the Hygiene Hub has now ceased operations. Nearby public washrooms can be found at Kinistinâw Park (10249 96 Street NW) and Alberta Avenue Park (9210 118 Avenue NW). Both washrooms operate from 10am-9pm and close seasonally during winter.

Find All Public Washrooms

Contact Us

311 Contact Centre

Online	Contact 311 Online

If you are calling from outside of Edmonton: 780-442-5311

Phone	311
TTY	711

Responding to Homelessness in our Communities

How to Report an Encampment

How You Can Help

Emergency Shelter Best Practices Guide

Emergency Shelter Best Practices Guide

Long-term Solution to Homelessness

Shigella in Vulnerable Communities

Related Links

Safe Needle Disposal

Edmonton Police Services Community Policing

Boyle Street Community Services

Homeward Trust Edmonton

Contact Us

311 Contact Centre