Over the past decade, new challenges with rural homelessness, the drug crisis and more meant that Alberta’s approach to addressing homelessness became outdated. To better respond to those needs, in 2022 the province committed to testing and implementing a new, coordinated approach to combatting homelessness through Alberta’s Action Plan on Homelessness.
To continue this progress and finish implementing Alberta’s Action Plan on Homelessness, Alberta’s government will be streamlining grant administration for housing with supports and providing provincial funding directly to front-line service providers, including Indigenous-led organizations. By designating the coordination of supports to Alberta’s government, the government will be in a better position to address homelessness-related issues in communities across the province. Additionally, directly funding front-line service providers will help those providers strengthen their wraparound supports for Albertans experiencing homelessness. This funding, which will remain stable, helps people experiencing homelessness move into and maintain stable housing with access to the wraparound supports they need.
“Our government has invested an unprecedented amount of funding and effort into addressing homelessness in Alberta. As shown by the success of our navigation centres and other innovative approaches, our government’s efforts to better coordinate supports are making a positive difference for vulnerable Albertans. I look forward to expanding our valuable partnerships with front-line service agencies across the province as we continue to follow through on our commitments.”
To improve the coordination of these wraparound supports and achieve better outcomes for those seeking help, Alberta’s government is also working to improve the accuracy of data collection on a provincial scale. Alberta’s government will continue to work closely with front-line service providers, municipalities and community partners to ensure minimal disruption in services as this improved delivery model is implemented.
These new efforts build on the success of earlier initiatives by the government, including the introduction of new supports like Indigenous-led shelters, women-only shelter spaces, and expanded recovery services. Building on this work, Navigation and Support Centres in Edmonton and Calgary have been essential to providing thousands of Albertans with wraparound supports, including government ID, addiction treatment, mental health services, employment skills training and housing.
All of this work is possible because Alberta’s government has made unprecedented investments to fund these new supports, with Budget 2024 investing almost $210 million in emergency shelters and housing with supports.
“When funding for emergency shelters and housing is meant to support Indigenous peoples, it should be delivered by Indigenous-operated organizations. While community-based organizations have served some of our people in times of need, they have not historically delivered in ways that reflect our knowledge and cultural practices. Providing these funds directly through the Alberta Government will allow our Indigenous-operated organizations an opportunity to receive grants and deliver services that are not only effective, but also rooted in the cultural understanding and traditions of our communities.”
As Alberta looks to the future, an expert panel is being established to help shape the province’s long-term approach to combatting homelessness. While the province has made progress on better supporting the most vulnerable, Alberta’s homelessness-related issues have evolved in recent years. The panel is tasked with ensuring Alberta’s long-term approach continues to meet the needs of Albertans experiencing homelessness, with an increased focus on Indigenous communities, rural needs, complex addictions and mental health. Co-chaired by Justin Wright, the MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat, and Robin James, the chief administrative officer of the Lethbridge Housing Authority, the panel will advise the province on how to continue to reduce homelessness across Alberta. Additional members of the panel will be announced at a later date.
“I am honoured to be appointed as co-chair of the panel, and I look forward to undertaking this important work. It is critical that rural communities have the supports they need to appropriately address homelessness to achieve better outcomes for those seeking help.”
“Lethbridge Housing Authority welcomes this announcement as an opportunity to strengthen our partnerships with front-line service providers. We have seen great success in Lethbridge and southern Alberta as a result of our work alongside Alberta’s government, and we look forward to continuing this important work.”
“The Calgary Drop-In Centre supports thousands of vulnerable Calgarians each year, and we look forward to continuing this work in partnership with Alberta’s government. These changes will make a difference and ensure we can continue to support vulnerable Calgarians, creating hope and stability into the future.”
Quick facts
- In 2023-24, more than 8,000 Albertans were provided with housing and supports, including 1,800 people newly admitted to housing programs.
- In 2024-25, the province is investing almost $210 million overall into homelessness initiatives in Alberta, including:
- $116 million in 2024-25 to support the operation of homeless shelter spaces.
- $101.5 million to support local programs designed to move people out of homelessness and into stable housing linked with appropriate supports. This funding will now be directly distributed to service providers by the Alberta Government.
Related information
Related news
- Alberta shelters are ready for winter (Nov. 21, 2024)