MEDIA RELEASE

November 21, 2014

Homeless Count Shows Edmontons Homeless Numbers Are Stable

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Edmonton In the face of rising rental prices, low vacancy, and high in-migration, Edmontons homeless
numbers are stable.
The 2014 Homeless Count found 2,252 people without a home, an increase of 78 people 3.5% - from
2012. In that time, Edmontons overall population has grown 7.4%.
Since 2008, the last count prior to implementing the plans to end homelessness, Edmontons homeless
numbers are down 27% overall.
That numbers are stable in the face of rising housing costs, low vacancy rates, and high levels of inmigration which have all previously contributed to increases in Homeless Count results shows that
were making a difference said Susan McGee, Chief Executive Officer of Homeward Trust Edmonton.
However, those pressures remain. With more than 2200 Edmontonians without a home, we are
reminded that we still have lots of work to do, and cannot become complacent as a community.
Of those counted, an estimated:

16% are new to Edmonton within the last year.

47% identify as Aboriginal.

The 2014 Count sees a decrease in unsheltered and provisionally housed, those sleeping outdoors or
couch surfing, but emergency shelter use has increased. There is also an increased number of youth and
families. When comparing the 2012 and 2014 counts:

Unsheltered and provisionally housed (previously grouped together) declined 20%.

The number of people in shelters continues to increase, up 26% from 2012.
The number of youth increased from 481 to 562 (17%).
The number of homeless people with accompanying minors was up by an estimated 25%.

The count results tell an important story about people who are experiencing homelessness and where
we need to put our efforts as a community said McGee. Over the next year, we will focus additional
resources on rapid rehousing to reduce the pressure on emergency shelters. We will also focus on
culturally appropriate housing and supports for Aboriginal peoples, and focused interventions for
families and youth.
The 7 Cities of Alberta and the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness worked together on common
methodology. All 7 cities held Homeless Counts within the same week, and are releasing preliminary
results today. 6600 people across Alberta were counted; across the 5 communities that held counts in
2008, that number represents a 16% reduction since then.

MEDIA RELEASE
A full report, including analysis, will be available in January.
For more information:
Jenny Adams
The Adams Agency
jenny@theadamsagency.ca
(780) 707-9101
Homeward Trust Edmonton is a not for profit organization that uses a community-based approach toward the goal of ending
homelessness in Edmonton. Our primary role is to coordinate response to housing needs by working together with local agencies
and all orders of government.

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