One of the things that has always set Edmonton apart from Calgary is the relatively low homeless rate. About a two years ago an article similar to this was posted in the Calgary Hearld. It would have been impossible to forecast the Edmonton real estate market gains this year, just as it would have been to predict its downside. One thing is for certain the media will be the last to know but the first to tell you they told you so.
That being said, we do have a social issue on the rise and how Edmonton deals with it will either set us apart from Calgary with innovative solutions, or Edmonton will end up like Calgary and Toronto and Vancouver where it’s easier to ignore the homeless than deal with them. Below is the article from the Edmonton Journal.
Working homeless
Survey finds homeless numbers up, particularly among those who have jobs
Florence Loyie, edmontonjournal.com
Published: Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Alberta’s white-hot economy is creating a new class of homeless — the working poor.
The latest survey of homelessness in Edmonton has found that low vacancy rates and lack of affordable housing are hurting those with jobs as well as the unemployed.
Of the 2,618 people counted as homeless during a 24-hour canvass by more than 300 volunteers on Oct. 17, 1,774 people were classified as absolutely homeless, while the remaining 844 were living in shelters.
Homeless shelter numbers are up, including clients of Hope Mission who go to work every day.
Hope Mission
"We knew the numbers were going to increase based on the anecdotal responses from shelter providers,” said Jay Freeman, chair of the Edmonton Joint Planning Committee on Housing.
“I don’t think it’s a surprise to anyone that the numbers are up, and I think there are a number of different factors, not the least of which is Alberta’s white-hot economy and extremely low vacancy rates in rentals.”
Those factors have created a new breed of homeless — people who have jobs, but can’t afford market rents.
On any given weekday, staff at the Hope Mission’s warming shelter act as alarm clocks, waking clients up so they can get to work.
The survey also found there was a significant increase in the number of people who were turned away from shelters and treatment centres because of a lack of beds.
On the day of the count, 256 people were turned away from shelters — more than twice the number who were turned away from shelters on Oct. 17, 2004.
As well, the number of people who found themselves homeless after being discharged from a hospital or treatment centre also increased — up by 113 from 59 in the last count.
Men accounted for the majority of Edmonton’s homeless; 1,820 of those counted were male. People between the ages of 31 and 54 were the predominant age group while the next largest age group was 17 to 30.
Aboriginal people accounted for 986 of those counted. Of that number, 744 identified themselves as absolutely homeless.
There was a big reduction in the number of families counted as homeless — 79 compared to 120 in 2004. However, that can be attributed to improvements in the survey form which clarified the definitions of caregivers, dependents and their housing status, the survey said.
How could I find a homeless person in Edmonton?