Committee to Study Homelessness in Edmonton (B. Mason)

Recommendation:
That the following report be received for information.

Report Summary

·  This report responds to an Administrative Inquiry regarding the establishment of a committee to deal with homelessness in Edmonton. The committee was suggested at a meeting between the Mayor and Dr. Lyle Oberg, Minister of Alberta Family & Social Services.

Previous Council/Committee Action

·  At the November 16, 1998, Community Services Committee Meeting, Councillor Mason made the following inquiry:

“This inquiry is (to) the Community Services Department. The province has established a Committee to study homelessness in Edmonton. When was the Committee established? Does the City of Edmonton appoint or nominate any representatives to sit on the Committee? If so, what is the process used to appoint representatives? What role, if any does our administration play? Please include all correspondence between the City and the Province. I would like a response to this inquiry at the next meeting of Community Services Committee.”

Report

·  The idea for a homelessness task force originated at a meeting between Mayor Smith and Dr. Lyle Oberg, Minister of Alberta Family & Social Services on September 18, 1998. At that meeting, also attended by a representative of the Salvation Army and the General Manager of Community Services, the Mayor outlined the urgent need for additional shelter spaces in Edmonton.

·  The Task Force was formally announced on November 16, 1998 (News Release Attachment 1).

·  From the outset, it was agreed that the task force should be community-based and co-chaired by representatives of the Minister and the Mayor. The Mayor appointed Councillor Jim Taylor and the Minister appointed Gene Zwozdesky, MLA, as the co-chairs. In addition there are three representatives from “front-line” service agencies; three representatives from the private sector; and a senior representative from the Community Services Department, Alberta Family & Social Services, Alberta Municipal Affairs, and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, for a total of 12. The administrative representatives were submitted by the respective departments; nominations were submitted by the Province and the City for the private sector representatives. The Edmonton Coalition on Homelessness (ECOH) recommended the three “front line” service workers.

·  In co-operation with the Province, the Community Services Department will provide the administrative support through its Housing and Children’s Services Section.

·  There has been no correspondence between the City and the Province on this issue.

Background Information Attached

  1. News Release dated November 16, 1998 announcing the Task Force on Homelessness

(Page 2 of 2)

Attachment 1

News Release dated November 16, 1998 announcing the Task Force on Homelessness

/ NEWS RELEASE

IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City and Province Establish Task Force on Homelessness

Dr. Lyle Oberg, Minister of Alberta Family and Social Services, Alberta Municipal Affairs Minister, Iris Evans, and Edmonton Mayor Bill Smith have formed a task force to address the needs of homeless people in Edmonton. With data collection nearly complete, the task force expects to have a short-term report completed by November 30, 1998.

Co-chaired by Edmonton Mill Creek MLA Gene Zwozdesky and City Councillor Jim Taylor, the Homelessness Task Force will identify ways the community, private and public sectors can coordinate supports for homeless people. The task force includes 10 representatives from: front-line service agencies, the City of Edmonton Community Services, Alberta Family & Social Services, Alberta Municipal Affairs, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and private industry.

The short-term objectives of the task force are to:

·  determine the profile, magnitude, causes and impact of immediate needs of homeless people;

·  assess the capability of existing shelters, social housing and other accommodations to meet immediate needs; and

·  bring forward solutions to meet immediate needs, including funding recommendations.

The long-term objectives are to:

·  recommend a mechanism to conduct a count of homeless persons in Edmonton every two years, and

·  recommend strategies and action plans to meet the identified long-term critical needs.

“There are many supports for homeless individuals already in place, but by pooling our efforts and resources, we will ensure that immediate needs are met and that long-term solutions are found,” said Dr. Oberg. “A number of issues are at the root of homelessness, and it is essential that we take a broad-based community approach to finding solutions.”

“This initiative is an opportunity for community foundations, social agencies, the private sector and both levels of government to demonstrate their interest in developing workable solutions to help meet the needs of homeless people in Edmonton,” said Iris Evans.

Mayor Bill Smith adds, “Recent reports from the local agencies that provide care and shelter to homeless individuals have told us the need and urgency is growing. Long-term solutions are necessary, and equally important we are concentrating on making sure this winter is as safe and comfortable as possible for the homeless in this city.”

The City of Edmonton Community Services Department will provide the principal administrative support for the task force, in cooperation with the Province.

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Note to Editors: List of members is attached.

For further information contact:

Pat Lobregt Kathy Lazowski

Office of the Mayor Alberta Family and Social Services

496-8100 422-3004

Date: November 16, 1998

Release No.

Time: 2 p.m.


EDMONTON HOMELESSNESS TASK FORCE MEMBERS

Gene Zwozdesky, Co-Chair
Edmonton Mill Creek MLA

Government of Alberta

Councillor Jim Taylor, Co-Chair
City of Edmonton
Lynn Hannley
Executive Director
The Communitas Group
Sundari Devam
Manager of Housing
Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation
Sharon Starr
Housing Registry Worker
Boyle Street Community Services Co-operative
Ronald Odynski, Q.C.
Managing Partner
Ogilvie and Company
Chair, Edmonton Community Foundation
Doug Kelly
Senior Vice-President, Edmonton Region
Carma Developers Ltd.
Lindsay Cherney
Executive Director
Urban Development Institute
Don Moulds
Office Coordinator
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Rick Beaupre
Assistant Deputy Minster, Housing and Consumer Affairs
Alberta Municipal Affairs
Pat Boynton
Assistant Deputy Minister, Adult Services
Alberta Family and Social Services
Joyce Tustian
General Manager
Community Services Department
City of Edmonton

Attachment 1 - Page 3 of 3