New data shows 80% of houseless evicted from encampments refused to use Navigation Centre

A government-run centre in downtown Edmonton was opened last January to support the houseless population, but according to new data, just under 80 per cent of those evicted from encampments refused to accept the support, so how well is this Navigation Centre working in Edmonton?

The data was obtained through a freedom of information request released by the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights and was shared with CityNews.

“For some people, it’s that they know they already on the waiting lists for housing. They already had experiences with shelters and for them it’s not safe,” said Chris Wiebe, a lawyer with the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights.

The data shows only 161 people out of 577 between mid-January to mid-March accepted to use the services provided by the Navigation Centre.

“Combining such a temporary solution with such a drastic and aggressive response to encampments had tragic consequences for people living in encampments.”

The centre was set up by the provincial government to deal with the hundreds of people displaced after the accelerated removal of encampments earlier this year.

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The centre provides services, including mental health, addiction treatment and income support. But Edmonton’s mayor saying despite the need for these services, the centre cannot be the solution.

“Shelters are temporary interventions and many people have bad experiences with shelters. Actually, don’t go to shelters. They end up actually moving to other communities,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi.

The new data also shows an increase in frostbite hospitalizations and amputations among those with no fixed address, an increase from 168 in 2023 to 292 in 2024.

“I struggle to think of another cause than this drastic increase in encampment enforcement efforts,” said Wiebe.

Sohi adding, “That’s why I’ve been asking for a better approach to ending homelessness in our city, particularly focusing more on supportive housing.”

But the province told CityNews, “Those claims on Navigation Centre utilization are not accurate and are not provincial reports related to Edmonton Navigation Centre utilization.”

Adding, “Since January, the centre has helped over 2,930 people access life-changing services, including providing over 1,970 pieces of ID, getting over 1,560 people connected to income supports, connecting over 1,420 people to housing and shelter, and providing nearly 870 people with health supports and 445 people with mental health and addiction services.”

Minister Jason Nixon’s office also went on to explain the province has invested over $83 million in homelessness supports throughout Edmonton.

“Encampments are not safe and Albertans recognize that a tent, particularly during Alberta’s harsh winters, is not adequate shelter. Alberta’s government will continue to invest in solutions to provide safe places to live and receive services for the most vulnerable.”

But Wiebe says all levels of government should be on the same page when it comes to helping people.

“It’s the province’s responsibility. It’s the federal government’s responsibility, it’s the EPS’s responsibility, and yes, it’s the City’s responsibility to address the underlying issue here which is most and foremost it’s the housing and poverty.”