Edmonton funding three new community initiatives to address houselessness

Edmonton is moving forward with new plans to help address homelessness in the city.

Funding three investment-ready community initiatives identified by the city’s community mobilization task force on housing and houselessness.

City council approved $3.5 million, split between three different initiatives, including speeding up renovations of under-utilized buildings to turn them into affordable houses, a new digital platform to connect landlords and social agencies with tenant screening and assessments, and a new peer support service.

“I don’t think there’s any prescription in terms of the exact model of the peer support program, but rather, where is our community capacity, and how do we match that community capacity with people that need that support,” said Erin Rutherford, councillor for Ward Anirniq.

The funding for the new initiatives comes from the Edmonton Police Service’s community safety and well-being bureau budget that went unused.