On Monday, Edmonton City Council’s community services committee will receive a report from the administration on the establishment of small sanctioned encampments to serve 60 homeless people.
In an 11-2 vote two weeks ago, the council ordered the administration to study the idea, then report back on costs and make recommendations.
The administration said in a written report that it would cost $2.1 million to maintain three small camping sites from early August to late October.
City staff did not recommend implementing the pilot program “due to time constraints for commissioning and decommissioning before winter, significant operating costs, lack of opportunity to do this work in partnership with neighborhoods and potential regulatory approvals,” according to the report.
The administration asked Boyle Street Public Services to submit a cost estimate. The nonprofit agency is interested in running the sanctioned camp and then transitioning to tiny homes for a year-round solution.
Boyle Street plans to accommodate 20 people at each of the three sites using tents and cots.
Each camp will be surrounded by a fence. Two meals per day will be provided along with a toilet trailer, drinking water, picnic tables, fire pit and storage space.
Private security will be hired to provide 24/7 service. Other staff will include a program manager, support workers, an overdose response team and on-site cleanup staff.
The administration said benefits include privacy and safety for clients, along with the chance for them to reduce their movement as they have access to on-site staff to transition to permanent housing.
In the list of challenges, the administration cited concerns about the short timeframe, possible negative impacts on the neighborhoods where the camps would be located, and the likelihood of drug use and the need to involve peace officers or police officers if there were problems.
The administration is also worried about the possibility of building additional camps outside the sanctioned sites.
“If this is allowed to happen, any pilot site risks becoming larger and unmanageable,” the report said. “This would create a risk that those on one side of the fence would be treated very differently from those on the other sanctioned side.”
“That seems like a lot of money”
Count. Ann Stevenson introduced the initial motion directing the administration to submit a report. She told CBC News she was surprised by the $2.1 million price tag.
“This is not a wise investment of our funds,” Stevenson said. “That level of investment for three months for what is by no means a preferred solution or outcome doesn’t seem to make much sense.”
Count. Tim Cartmell said he feels the same way.
Count. Tim Cartmell called the sanctioned camping proposal a relief decision. (CBC)
“That seems like a lot of money,” Cartmell said. “It’s a band-aid approach. It is not a permanent approach. I don’t know if it’s worth the investment over time.”
As part of its report, the administration provided information and costs for more permanent additions to the fight against homelessness.
Three nonprofits have proposed a plan that would use workforce trailers to house 140 people. The annual cost would be $10.6 million, but that would not include trailer rental or utility costs.
Prefab tiny homes would cost between $30,000 and $100,000 per unit, but that doesn’t include site preparation costs or operating costs. Buying 60 would cost about $6 million.
The report states that with the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and an increase in travel, most hoteliers in Edmonton are no longer willing to consider short-term rentals to provide bridging housing. Leasing costs for 200 units will cost $5.4 million annually.
The administration suggested that instead of the pilot program, they would spend more time analyzing and planning a year-long solution that would go into effect next spring.
“If we can start now to put some different approaches in place for next spring, I think that goes a long way,” Stevenson said, though she still worries about finding an immediate solution for this summer.
“It’s a crisis we’re facing right now and I hope we can find other creative solutions for this season.”
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