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Five supportive housing sites in Edmonton for residents experiencing homelessness won’t be ready this winter as initially targeted.
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The city’s first five permanent, supportive housing developments totalling 210 units are now expected to be finished early next year and open in the spring.
During a year-end construction update Tuesday, infrastructure services deputy city manager Adam Laughlin said the end-of-2021 completion timeline was an aggressive target in line with the federal grant program. But labour and supply-chain disruptions affecting the construction industry during the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on the projects, leading to longer wait times for materials.
When open in the new year, the five developments will provide a long-term home and wraparound services for more than 200 Edmontonians who are experiencing homelessness and need support to maintain their housing. On-site supports will include 24-7 crisis services, mental health supports and financial management assistance. The sites are located in Inglewood, Terrace Heights, Westmount, Wellington and King Edward Park.
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“The pandemic has illustrated the critical role that housing plays in ensuring the health and safety of individuals, their community and Edmonton as a whole,” Laughlin told reporters. “Right now, there are more than 2,800 people with no permanent home, about 1,200 sleeping in shelters or outside each night. It is possible to end homelessness through adequate housing and support.”
Last week, the city issued a notice that four homeless Edmontonians died in fires within the last two months and work is being done to develop strategies to improve fire safety. The city’s longer-term goal is to build 900 supportive housing units across all areas of the city by 2024.
Without the supportive housing sites this winter, prospective residents will need to find alternative places to stay, including the city’s shelter services. At the end of November, there was concern there wouldn’t be enough shelter beds to accommodate the projected 1,200 people in need on any given night.
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But a subsequent $8.7-million investment from the province is intended to expand the city’s shelter capacity up to 1,282 beds this month, including up to 200 beds at a 24-7 temporary shelter at Commonwealth Stadium. The shelter hasn’t opened yet, but is expected to be in operation by Dec. 15.
These supportive housing projects were part of a larger $1-billion construction season implemented by the city in 2021, the largest in many years, Laughlin said. There were a total of 275 projects under construction, with 92 per cent on budget and close to 80 per cent on schedule. Construction projects led to more than 13,000 jobs in the city through 300 companies that are locally owned or based in Edmonton.
During the summer there were concerns from Downtown residents and businesses about the amount of construction in the core causing road closures, which Laughlin said he understands but is necessary for the significant amount of work the city has planned each construction season.
“There will be overlapping projects and what we do is try to make sure folks are aware of those restrictions and communicate that as much as possible,” he said. “There will be construction, there has to be construction to stay at the leading edge of what we want to build from a city perspective.”
Five Edmonton supportive housing developments now pegged for spring opening, highlight city's $1-billion 2021 construction season - Edmonton Journal
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