Complaints jump over homeless camps in parks

Complaints about garbage and tents in Edmonton’s public spaces is on track to double in just two years as many people experiencing homelessness avoid downtown shelters.

Council’s executive committee was told Monday Edmonton spent $1.7 million in 2016 cleaning up homeless camps when there were just 973 complaints. The number of complaints jumped to 1,321 in 2017.

This year, the total complaints was already 1,400 by September, said Christel Kjenner, director of housing and homelessness.

“We know that homelessness on parkland is a growing issue. It’s getting worse. We’re looking at solutions but nothing that we’re ready to speak about at this point.”

The amount of money spent in the last two years was not available.

The numbers came out as committee got an update on the federal and provincial funds allocated for housing those experiencing chronic homelessness. They often need mental health and addiction support to stay housed.

The exact funding amounts coming to Edmonton still aren’t clear, but the city also doesn’t yet have projects in the pipeline that it needs to secure funding.

That’s been a chickenand-egg situation for housing providers unwilling to invest in land, design and neighbourhood consultation until they know what’s coming.

To help, the City of Edmonton committed to identify four sites in different parts of the city by spring.

Homeward Trust executive Susan McGee said her team currently has a list of 1,443 people experiencing chronic homelessness in Edmonton.

Of those, 337 are sleeping outside at the moment, in parks, on sidewalks and under bridges.

That compares to 284 who are currently using Edmonton’s shelters.

Someone is counted as chronically homeless if they’ve been homeless at least four times in the last three years. They might be couch surfing or in unstable housing.

The issue of homelessness garnered major public attention in 2006, when a tent city flourished in a vacant lot behind the Bissell Centre. Now tents are more spread out.

“We’re seeing similar situations in our neighbourhoods and parks.”