Temporary pallet homes, trailers begin closing as funding for emergency shelters ends
Posted May 2, 2024 3:44 pm.
Last Updated May 3, 2024 10:46 am.
A trailer has been called home by about 80 homeless Edmontonians for the winter, but now that funding for emergency shelter spaces has ended, Niginan Housing Ventures is working at transitioning them into more permanent spaces.
After couch surfing for a couple of years, and not having a long-term place to call home, Catlin Thomas moved into this temporary space at Niginan at the former Sands Hotel off Fort Road in January.
“I think they did a great job, I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am, they just like they helped me so much that I was trying to do for like a couple years,” said Thomas.
“I was in the trailer for January and February and they assisted me with housing, long-term housing. They asked what my goals were and things like that, so I let them know and they worked along that and then my mental health as well. I’ve gotten into some appointments so we’ve been assisting that too.”
Thomas has since moved into one of their supportive living suites and is receiving help to get back on his two feet- even applying for school.
“They’re more long term so I feel like my housing situation is kind of secure,” said Thomas.
“Here, everything’s been pretty good. They’ve been helping with everything, again I don’t know what to say I’m very thankful. I think they did a great job, I wouldn’t be anywhere near where I am, they just like they helped me so much that I was trying to do for like a couple years. It gives me another chance at living again.”
These camp trailers and pallet homes were temporary shelter spaces to get homeless Edmontonians off the streets during the cold winter months. Now that funding has ended, they are in the process of finding new homes for everyone.
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“We’re trying to provide that reconnection for people to ensure that they have a place to go and that we can provide them with a more permanent solution rather than staying in temporary shelters that, you know, put them out on the streets during the day,” explained Keri Cardinal, CEO of Niginan Housing Ventures.
Some nearby residents are frustrated the trailer was here in the first place, saying they’ve seen an increase in crime and garbage. But they’re frustrated the structures weren’t gone the day they were supposed to leave, pointing to the development permit which expired May 1st.
“Our community league itself got broke into at least three times, our garden shed was vandalized, our property was stolen, the increase in traffic just grew and grew,” said Morgan Wolf, a concerned nearby resident.
“I think inside the Sands Hotel they are doing a fantastic job, they’re helping a lot of people. They’ve definitely made it nicer than what the Sands Hotel used to be. If they can keep that up and move that towards their future projects that would be nice to see, but there really is no communication and not a lot of effort to be a good neighbour.”
Niginan says they have no control over when the trailers will be moved saying they are relying on the company to pick them up. As for the few residents still living inside.
“We are hoping they will be moved today or tomorrow. We’re just again waiting to make sure arrangements are done and that we’re doing it in a really good and thoughtful way,” said Cardinal.
“At the end of the day all we’re trying to do is provide a place for people to land in order to kind of figure out what their needs are and get them into a more secure environment where they can stay housed longer so that they’re not back out on the street. That’s all we’re trying to do.”
Niginan will continue operating their shelter spaces and permanent supportive housing suites inside the former hotel and have plans to transform their outdoor area into a green space with a teepee.
“We have a really strong landscaping plan. We want to put some green space here for sure. We had put in a couple requests for a grant to erect a more permanent kind of teepee structure that we’d be able to use in the summertime or in warmer weather.”
