115 supportive housing units open in Edmonton

The sign still stands, but there’s a new purpose for an old Edmonton hotel.

The Sands on Fort Road — near the Edmonton Coliseum — is now home to 115 units of Indigenous-led, supportive housing.

“People think there’s no hope for them. They think they’re stuck in their addiction for the rest of their lives, and there’s no way out. When people come here, I can look them in the eye and say, ‘I hope I can help you. We can help you,’” said James Bellerose, NiGiNan worker.

Bellerose spent years on the streets of Alberta’s capital, addicted to drugs and homeless. He’s now four years sober, and a peer-support worker with NiGiNan housing.

“When people come to us, we come from a place of non-judgement. Cause the people who come in here, are actually our family. Because we’re Indigenous we understand and we feel that,” explained Keri Cardinal, CEO.

The centre has a ceremony space. The old hotel now has 54 suites for people once on the street. The bar and restaurant area have been converted into six enhanced-care suites for residents with complex health needs, and 55 emergency shelter spaces.

“People come to us from encampments or from these streets and we need to build those relationships to be able to determine what level of care they might need,” said Cardinal.

Pimatisiwin was created for about $12 million dollars — including the purchase cost of the hotel. The money came from non-profits, the city, the province, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. 

Edmonton city council declared a housing and homelessness emergency in January. The city estimates there are more than 3,000 people on the streets, and 300 people died last year as a result of being unhoused. The area’s city councillor says Alberta and Canada need to fund more places like Pimatisiwin.

“It’s great to see the province coming in and contributing on this project. I would hope and expect that they continue to do so. Again, the need across our city is so high,” said Ashley Salvador, Ward Métis Councillor.

While everyone agrees more needs to be done, this is a celebration. Because on any given night, 115 more people now have a safe place to call home.