Alberta’s government has been focussed on helping the most vulnerable get off the streets and into much safer environments where they can focus on building their futures. As a part of these efforts, the province continues to make it easier for vulnerable Albertans to meet their housing and recovery needs through the Navigation and Support Centres.
The Navigation and Support Centres provide a one-stop shop where people can access a wide range of supports in one place, including financial aid, health services, housing supports and more. Since the first centre opened just over a year ago, more than 10,000 unique individuals have been connected to life-changing services at the Navigation and Support Centres.
“We won't turn our backs on the most vulnerable. Our goal is to get vulnerable people into much safer environments where they can access a range of supports and that's why we created the Navigation and Support Centres. By offering a centralized place for vulnerable Albertans to access numerous services and supports, we have helped thousands of vulnerable Albertans receive the help they need, more easily.”
In January 2024, Alberta’s government opened Edmonton’s Navigation and Support Centre to provide targeted support for vulnerable Albertans. As the province worked with its partners to remove high-risk encampments, the centre helped connect those leaving encampments with the various supports they needed under one roof, and quickly expanded to serving all homeless individuals looking for help.
This new approach made it much easier for vulnerable people to access supports, as they no longer were forced to travel to multiple locations to get connected with the help they need. This proved to be incredibly successful, leading to Edmonton’s centre becoming a permanent fixture and the province expanding these efforts by opening a second centre in Calgary.
“I am pleased to see that so many lives have been positively affected by the navigation and support centres. This approach is clearly working, proving to be an effective way of connecting vulnerable people with the help they need. Alberta’s innovative approach to addressing homelessness has raised the bar across Canada, and other jurisdictions are taking note of our success.”
To date, the two centres have provided over 45,000 connections or referrals to services, assisting more than 10,000 people as of March 27. This includes:
- More than 4,460 connections to emergency shelter spaces and housing programs such as transitional and supportive housing, affordable housing, and rent supplements.
- Almost 9,700 identification cards issued by Service Alberta.
- More than 8,950 connections to employment and financial services, including Income Support and AISH.
- More than 2,090 connections to cultural supports provided by local Indigenous organizations.
- More than 3,450 connections to health and medical supports.
- More than 4,038 connections to mental health and addiction services.
“The Navigation and Support Centre has provided a vast range of supports to thousands of people experiencing homelessness in Edmonton and throughout Alberta. The centre represents Alberta’s commitment and innovative approach to supporting vulnerable people in our communities.”
Alberta’s government has made unprecedented investments into supporting thousands of shelter spaces across the province and local programs for stable housing with wraparound supports, and the Navigation and Support Centres continue help connect vulnerable individuals with these valuable services.
In many cases, people have found the centres so useful that they are returning multiple times to access services and are bringing people they know are in need along with them. Alberta’s government remains committed to working closely with its partners, including front-line service providers, Indigenous leaders and other levels of government, to ensure the continued success of the Navigation and Support Centres.
“As a sober living service provider in Edmonton, we are very appreciative of the Navigation and Support Centre for being the innovative response to our community's most vulnerable. The spectrum of supports and services available to be accessed in one location was something our community really needed.”
Related information
Related news
- New supports for vulnerable people in Edmonton (Jan. 17, 2024)
- Helping Calgary’s most vulnerable navigate supports (July 2, 2024)