Edmonton police prepare to dismantle an encampment at 95th Street and 101A Avenue on Jan. 9.
Homeless encampments are no longer limited to Alberta’s big cities. Medium-sized cities and towns are also grappling with an issue that has become too complex and costly for municipal governments to handle.The decision by the Edmonton police to clear encampments like this one last winter focused attention on the issue of homelessness and a lack of suitable housing. Medium-sized cities like Red Deer, and towns like Slave Lake and Peace River, are also dealing with the same issues.
"It is time for a very consistent, well thought-out, well-communicated provincial plan," Red Deer Mayor Ken Johnston said in an interview with CBC News. The resolution is part of the city's efforts to to deal with homeless encampments. Another Red Deer resolution asks the federal and provincial governments to increase funding so municipalities can build supportive housing to provide homes for hard-to-shelter individuals.
After running the local shelter with $900,000 in provincial money over the last year, the Town of Slave Lake decided last month to pull out of the project. The security staff deal with harassment, loitering and encampments in town. More serious incidents get referred to the local RCMP detachment which is short several officers.
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