Supportive housing opens in Edmonton’s neighbourhood with some divide among residents

It’s taken exactly two years at a cost of about $12 million, but a 63-unit supportive housing facility is now open in the Edmonton neighbourhood of Holyrood.

Emergency shelters are a temporary intervention. In order to end houselessness, we need to invest in supportive housing. Today’s investment is on that journey,” said Mayor Amarjeet Sohi.

Homeward Trust owns the building, and the George Spady Society will operate it. Each unit has the usual living arrangements with a bed, TV, kitchen, and bathroom.

Residents are also getting help with health care, social, community, and cultural supports, and life skills training.

“All of this will be based on individualized care plans with smart goal setting developed with each resident to help them on their unique path to recovery and well-being,” said Dawn-Marie Diab, the CEO of the George Spady Society.

CityNews talked to two people who live near this building, and their feelings were split. Both mentioned the supportive housing in Capilano and the concerns residents there had. One is welcoming this with open arms, while the other is hopeful the neighbourhood peace isn’t disturbed.

“What I wonder is… not the residents themselves but the guests when they come in, where do they go? Where do they go when they’re not hanging out here? Like, where else are they going to be?” asked one woman.

Another Edmontonian, CityNews spoke to, said, “Capilano made mistakes. They’re correcting them as best they can. People need the help, and that’s a great place for them to be. Are you kidding me to get them off the street? They got a nice room, they’ve got staff there to help them, which we need.”

Susan McGee, the CEO of Homeward Trust, says, “In our relationship with the operator, in this case, [George] Spady is to have ongoing expectations that we proactively ensure that we’ve got a positive relationship in our community.”

While Ashley Salvador, the councillor of Ward Métis, said, “Knowing that there are thoughtful, caring, compassionate, and community-minded neighbours out there ready and willing to help these folks feel at home gives me a lot of confidence that this is going to be a fantastic addition to this community.”

Residents are expected to move in at the end of this month, and the facility should be full by the end of the year. More supportive housing units are under construction in the south neighbourhood of Garneau and the north end in Canora.