The numbers coming through Edmonton’s Hope Mission are comparable to those in the winter months, according to staff.
Edmonton’s Hope Mission saw capacity level numbers last month with a nightly high of 848 stays. Approcamitely 100 more people stayed overnight evey night in June compared to June of 2022.
These numbers are “unheard of” for summer months according to Tim Pasma, manager of homeless programs.
June saw an average of 663 people with 642 staying overnight, compared to an average of 515 and 526 overnight stays last year.
The number of homeless in Edmonton, according to Homeward Trust’s list is 714 more than 2022, with the increase being attributed to Edmontonians with temporary accommodations.
If these numbers are any indication of what to expect in winter months, this could spell problems for many programs and shelters in the city.
According to cIty staff and council, many shelters were reaching capacity and by June 6, the city had already removed 1,103 encampments this year.
Challenges associated with mental health and the drug poisoning epidemic, coupled with housing workers’ difficulty finding affordable and appropriate housing are at the root of the problem according to Hop Mission staff.
The Hops Mission is asking the public for urgent donations of men’s and women’s clothing, socks, sunscreen, underwar, hats , bottled water and personal packs of kleenex.
Windspeaker Radio Network spoke with Tim Pasma about the current rise in numbers at the shelter:
