March 29, 2023
The City of Edmonton is exploring how to create a safe, comfortable and culturally appropriate Indigenous-led emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness.
In 2022, City Council earmarked $1 million for early design work of a City-funded emergency shelter operated by an Indigenous-led organization or government. The City is now looking for potential operators to work with an architectural consultant on the design requirements of an ideal space. Their recommendations will be brought to City Council for its consideration.
“We know that nearly 60 per cent of our unhoused neighbours identify as Indigenous, so we must have culturally appropriate supports in place,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi. “Indigenous ways of knowing and being are needed to design an innovative space that can meet the physical, cultural and spiritual needs of individuals who face additional barriers to accessing housing and other supports.”
“The City is committed to helping people leave homelessness by creating more affordable and supportive housing. But we also need spaces where people can meet their basic needs right away and get on a path toward a new home. This work is essential to addressing the crisis of people living unsheltered or in encampments in our city,” said Christel Kjenner, Director of Affordable Housing and Homelessness.
Indigenous-led organizations or governments from across Alberta can express their interest until April 19, 2023. Based on the number of responses received, the City may form a design committee of representatives from interested organizations or governments. Participants will meet virtually 1-2 times per month for six months and receive a per diem in alignment with the City’s compensation for agencies and boards. Details of the project and submission requirements can be found at edmonton.ca/indigenoushousing.
Increased access to Indigenous-led emergency shelter spaces were recommended by both the City of Edmonton’s Community Safety and Well-being Task Force and the National Inquiry into Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls.
