Emergency Response & Shelters
Extreme Weather Bus Route
-
An overnight Winter Shelter Shuttle Service will operate nightly on two routes from November 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025 providing transportation to emergency shelters. The service will run from 10pm-6am on two designated routes:
- a north route from Northgate Transit Centre to downtown and,
- a south route from Southgate Transit Centre to downtown.
- Note: from 12:45am-3:30am, the North and South winter shelter shuttles will focus on transporting people from Transit stations to shelters based on need and are not on a set route.
- During extreme cold weather responses, a third shuttle will be added, running on a west route from Kingsway Transit Centre to downtown.
- Support staff will be on each bus offering help to passengers needing access to available shelters and for referrals to other services.
- More information is available on the City’s extreme weather web page.
Expanded Overnight Shelter
Al Rashid Mosque (13070 113 Street NW) will open up to 50 overnight spaces to help expand shelter capacity, with operating hours from 5-8pm.
Edmontonians are encouraged to check in on older family, friends and neighbours. If you are concerned about someone outside, you can help by calling:
- 211 and press 3 for the 24/7 Crisis Diversion team. They can assist individuals who may be in distress and can provide transportation to social service agencies.
- 911 in cases of emergency
Click here to learn when to call 211 & 911
I WANT TO GET OFF THE STREETS. WHO CAN HELP ME?
■ 24/7 Crisis Diversion Program 211, press 3 for Crisis Diversion
■ Boyle Street Community Services
Street Outreach connects with those living rough outside, call 587-336-5688
■ Bissell Centre Outreach Housing Team
Call 780-423-2285 ext 263 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
■ Homeward Trust Edmonton
Help with access to housing, call 780-702-5267, or email coordinatedaccess@homewardtrust.ca
I’M HURT AND I’M SCARED. WHO CAN I CALL?
■ Edmonton Police Service
If you are hurt, in danger or it’s an emergency, please call 911
■ Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton
Support and information line, 24/7, call 780 423-4121
■ 24/7 Crisis Diversion 211, press 3 for Crisis Diversion
The Environment Canada Website provides more information on the hazards, symptoms, and health risks of smoke and poor air quality. To check current air quality conditions, visit the Air Quality Health Index. For information on how to manage poor air quality conditions, visit the Alberta Health Services Website.
Shelters
During the severe cold of winter, individuals seeking outdoor shelter face a critical situation. It is essential to find a safe place to protect against serious risks such as frostbite, hypothermia, and even death. Below are temporary safe spaces in Edmonton where people can shelter from the elements or sleep.
- Hope Mission, Emergency Shelter (Women only), 9908-106 Ave, 780-422-2018
- Hope Mission, Herb Jamieson Centre (Men only), 10014-105A Ave, 780-422-2018
- The Neighbour Centre (Mustard Seed), 10050-81 Ave, 780-619-9885
- Central Seed (Mustard Seed), 9526-106 Ave, 780-619-9985
- E4C, Women’s Emergency Accommodation Centre (WEAC), 9611-101 A Ave, 780-423-5302
- Wîhcihaw Maskokamik (Enoch Cree Nation), 11845 Wayne Gretzky Dr (the former Coliseum Inn)
- Pimatsiwin (Niginan Housing Ventures), 12340 Fort Rd, 780-818-6132
- YESS, Youth Support Centre, 9310-82 Ave (Youth only ages 15-21), 780-468-7070 Ext.231
Contact Coordinated Access if you are experiencing homelessness and need assistance with housing and supports.
- In-person schedule here
- coordinatedaccess@homewardtrust.ca
- 780-702-5267
24/7 Emergency Shelter Information for Adults & Youths
Day Services for Adults & Youths
Shigella Awareness
Shigella is a bacterial infection that affects the digestive system and is commonly associated with diarrhea, fever, nausea and stomach cramps. It can cause severe illness and hospitalization and spreads when someone comes into contact with fecal matter from an infected person and eats food contaminated with the bacteria. Those without proper access to sanitation or the ability to maintain personal hygiene and cleanliness are especially vulnerable.
Learn more about how to protect yourself here.
Raising awareness of the risks of sheltering in waste containers
There has been an increase in the number of individuals found in and around waste bins in Edmonton, putting them at significant risk of severe harm or even death. Waste collection vehicles may unknowingly empty bins and compress the contents, putting anyone sheltering inside at risk of being injured by a fall from the bin or by being crushed during the compactor cycle. Waste bins are NEVER a safe place to shelter or sleep. For your safety, we can connect you to options for shelter and other resources and support.
What is Sector Emergency Response?
Sector Emergency Response is a partnership between Homeward Trust, the City of Edmonton and more than 25 system and partner agencies working together to keep our vulnerable citizens safe in a coordinated approach to share timely information and resources.
Find supports and services online quickly and discretely with HelpSeeker →
*Service Providers, be sure to claim your HelpSeeker Profile and connect your services with those looking for help.
List of Resources
Where to get help?
Where to get help?
I WANT TO GET OFF THE STREETS. WHO CAN HELP ME?
■ 24/7 Crisis Diversion Program 211, press 3 for Crisis Diversion
■ Boyle Street Community Services
Street Outreach connects with those living rough outside, call 587-336-5688
■ Bissell Centre Outreach Housing Team
Call 780-423-2285 ext 263 7:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
■ Homeward Trust Edmonton
Help with access to housing, call 780-702-5267, or email coordinatedaccess@homewardtrust.ca
I’M HURT AND I’M SCARED. WHO CAN I CALL?
■ Edmonton Police Service
If you are hurt, in danger or it’s an emergency, please call 911
■ Sexual Assault Centre of Edmonton
Support and information line, 24/7, call 780 423-4121
■ 24/7 Crisis Diversion 211, press 3 for Crisis Diversion
EMERGENCY SHELTER USAGE
Click HERE to view Emergency Shelter Usage dashboard on mobile devices.
- Contracted Capacity – The Government of Alberta Ministry of Community and Social Services (CSS) is the primary funder of emergency shelters in the province. CSS Contracted Capacity reflects the maximum number of shelter beds in each facility as contracted by Alberta Community and Social Services.
- Operational Capacity – The number of shelter beds that the shelter provider can provide due to current circumstances. This number will almost always vary slightly from Contracted Capacity due to infrastructure (broken cots, opening/closing of temporary facilities, etc), staffing, or operational requirements – particularly a factor with Covid-19 measures for spacing and capacity.
