January 7, 2024
A high-risk encampment was closed on January 7 in the vicinity of 94 Street and 106 Avenue as part of eight high-risk encampments impacted by recent legal proceedings. The City ensured full compliance with its obligations under the interim Order, including providing advance notice to social agencies.
An encampment may be assessed as high risk where there is a serious risk of injury or death due to fire, carbon monoxide poisoning, drug use, gang violence, physical violence including weapons, public health and/or sanitation risks, environmental degradation and/or criminal activity. It is also assessed based on its proximity to local amenities including schools and playgrounds, the number of people and structures in the encampment, if the location has previously been an encampment site and how long it has been in place.
With the continued dry conditions and dropping temperatures in Edmonton, the risks of injury and death due to fire remain extremely high. In 2023, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to 135 fires in encampments resulting in 22 injuries and three fatalities. With the colder temperatures, open flames for warming and the close proximity of flammable tents pose an even greater risk.
The court ordered conditions to clear these eight encampments will remain in effect until January 11, 2024 and include:
- Before clearing the encampments, City and/or the Edmonton Police Service will make sure there is sufficient shelter space or other indoor space;
- If there is not enough space, officers will close only if there’s a danger to public health and safety;
- City will consider the cold weather in decision making;
- City will advise agencies at earliest convenience about closure;
- Order does not impact ongoing wellness checks by City staff or fire services;
- 48 hour notice will be given again to residents; and
- Notice to include reason, date.
Encampment Closure Facts - as of Sunday 1:30 p.m.
Prior to this closure and cleanup, the City received confirmation from the Government of Alberta that there is sufficient shelter capacity for any individuals leaving the site who wish to access shelters. As colder weather sets in and shelter usage increases, the City will review plans to ensure ongoing sufficient shelter capacity exists before moving forward with the final planned closure.
Today’s encampment cleanup schedule was adjusted. Before crews arrived, a deceased person was discovered and there was an unrelated propane tank explosion on site. Cleanup activities were paused while first responders made appropriate arrangements to address both situations. Today’s incident highlights the dangers of fire use in encampments as temperatures drop. The City continues to encourage individuals to seek warmth in appropriate shelters where various supports and services are provided.
City Administration, with support from EPS, continue to clean the site as the day progresses. Preliminary information about the cleanup efforts is:
- Encampment location - 94 Street and 106 Avenue
- Number of structures - 20
- Number of occupants - 15
- Instances of medical aid provided - 0
- Arrests - 0
- Tickets Issued - 0
- Warrants executed - 0
- Cleaning data
- Truckloads/ kg waste removed - 6 truckloads of waste (roughly 1200 kg), plus one full large waste bin
- Needles - 30
- Shopping Carts - 5
- Propane tanks - 10
- Social agencies were on site to provide support. REACH 24/7 Crisis Diversion Teams were on site to provide transport and support as needed. Bissell Centre continued to provide an onsite team, providing referral and housing information, coffee and snacks, cultural care, de-escalation and mediation services and support relocating participants’ belongings.
- Even with available shelter space, some Edmontonians experiencing homelessness may sometimes choose not to go to shelters.
Future Closures
Seven of the eight high-risk encampments have been closed and cleaned. The remaining site has been reassessed and notifications provided to occupants and social agencies in accordance with the court orders.
This is all the information the City is able to provide at this time. The City is following court order requirements for all encampment closures. The process is dynamic and logistically complex. The City cares about all of its residents. The City is working closely with the Government of Alberta, Edmonton Police Service and social agencies with a continued focus on the safety of the people living in the encampments, staff involved in the closure and community members living and working in the area.
We are providing emergency, effective and efficient response to unsafe, high risk conditions and continue to strongly advocate to the Province and the Federal Government for ongoing significant investments to address the root cause of homelessness: a shortage of safe, adequate and affordable housing and the support people need to maintain it.
