Supportive Housing
Supportive housing is a home. It provides continuous support to people who have experienced homelessness by combining subsidized housing with on-site health and social support.
Supportive housing is a unique combination of affordable housing and on-site services that provide stability, autonomy, and dignity for those who would otherwise struggle to find and maintain a permanent home. Tenants hold their own leases and pay rent while receiving 24/7 health, wellness, and life skills support. They are also provided with case management services and connections to service providers, mental health support, and other resources.
Who lives in Supportive Housing?
The people who live in supportive housing come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences, and all are individuals formerly experiencing homelessness who have been assessed to require this added level of support.
Residents are referred to a supportive housing site based on their support requirements and what the specific site offers. The referral process is a coordinated approach jointly shared with Homeward Trust, Alberta Health Services, and individual housing operators. An individual’s fit for the program will include ensuring the supports available are matched to the individual’s needs, how they match up with other residents in the program, and the individual’s fit with the building and the nearby community.
Residents prioritized for Supportive Housing may be individuals with complex needs, such as substance use, acute mental health, physical health concerns, and mobility issues. Individuals may also have experienced previous challenges maintaining independent housing.
Supportive Housing in Edmonton
Supportive Housing is the cornerstone of Edmonton’s commitment to ending homelessness. As of 2022, there were 226 units of Supportive Housing funded through Homeward Trust with the inclusion of 215 units from the five recent Rapid Housing Initiative projects. Supportive housing unit supply will be bolstered by an additional 161 units in development.
Supportive Housing offers affordable housing to individuals experiencing homelessness by working on both ending homelessness and preventing future homelessness. This is achieved in part through a commitment to continuous improvement and refinements to program design informed by a focus on Indigenous culture, family support, and experiences of addiction. The goal is to ensure vulnerable Edmontonians have the safety, stability, and cultural support needed to thrive.
Recent and in-development supportive housing sites
The City of Edmonton has committed significantly to developing Supportive and Affordable Housing. It has led the application process, land procurement, and project management of several recent and in-development Supportive Housing sites.
The five Supportive Housing sites were built using modular construction techniques with $35.1 million in funding from the Government of Canada’s Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) and delivered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). The City of Edmonton provided an additional $28.3 million in funding support and $16.4 million of capital funding came from the Government of Alberta’s Municipal Stimulus Program (MSP). Although the five recent supportive housing sites were modular builds that were shovel-ready and fast-tracked, the in-development projects are not using this approach due to some challenges.
WESTMOUNT
WESTMOUNT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
Operator Name: George Spady Society (GSS) Neighbourhood: Westmount
Units: 54 (6 one-bedroom, 39 studios, 9 barrier-free)
Specialization: This site provides essential services and long-term housing stability to individuals with complex needs who have experienced chronic homelessness. The program operates from a wellness-recovery perspective and equips residents with the skills and knowledge required to maintain a tenancy.
KING EDWARD
HOPE TERRACE AT KING EDWARD PARK
Program Name: Hope Terrace
Operator Name: Bissell Centre
Neighbourhood: King Edward Park
Units: 34 (6 one-bedroom, 18 studio units, ten barrier-free)
Specialization: Bissell Centre has specialized programming and support tailored to assisting people living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD).
INGLEWOOD
INGLEWOOD
Program Name: tâpwêhtamowin wâskahikan – tâpwê Housing
Operator Name: Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA)
Neighbourhood: Inglewood
Units: 30 (6 one-bedroom, 18 studio units, 6 barrier-free)
Specialization: Units are designated for Indigenous community members who would otherwise be experiencing houselessness. This includes those with mobility issues, involved with the provincial and federal correctional system (within the last three years), those on conditional release from provincial or federal institutions and individuals expressing a desire to overcome addictions.
TERRACE HEIGHTS
TERRACE HEIGHTS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
Operator Name: Boyle Street Community Services (BSCS)
Neighbourhood: Terrace Heights
Units: 46 (16 one-bedroom, 22 studio units, 8 barrier-free)
Specialization: Serving individuals experiencing ongoing substance use disorders, and those with a history of mental illness who rely on emergency services. Individuals who may have struggled with guest management in other housing programs may be suitable for Terrace Heights.
MCARTHUR
McARTHUR SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
Operator Name: NiGiNan Housing Ventures (NHV)
Neighbourhood: Wellington/McArthur
Units: 50 (10 one-bedroom, 30 studio units, 10 barrier-free)
Specialization: Serving residents that identify as Indigenous and who would otherwise be experiencing houselessness. McArthur houses individuals with concurrent disorders, ongoing substance use disorders, complex medical and physical needs, palliative participants, and those who frequently utilize emergency services. This site is licenced as Supportive Living and has healthcare staff embedded in the program.
HOLYROOD
IN-DEVELOPMENT
HOLYROOD SUPPORTIVE HOUSING
In September 2023, as part of the latest round of RHI 3 funding, the Holyrood Supportive Housing site was announced for development. Anticipated completion is winter 2024/early 2025, with occupancy to follow in 2025.
Neighbourhood: Holyrood
Estimated Units: 63
*picture shown is an artist’s rendering and not an exact representation of the final constructed building
With the City of Edmonton as project lead, modular designs for the first five supportive housing sites were completed by GEC Architecture and Edmonton-based companies Delnor Construction and Northgate Industries, who managed the on and off-site modular construction. As part of the funding requirements, each site was required to be delivered through a volumetric modular construction method. This multi-site, fast-tracked project achieved increased levels of energy performance from the energy code baseline and provided 15% of the dwelling units as fully barrier-free. Modular construction means the supportive housing units were pre-built indoors and off-site, trucked to their specific locations and craned onto concrete podiums. All units are self-contained, have kitchens, bathrooms, and storage space, and are fitted with large windows.
Alberta Health Services (AHS) has committed staffing consisting of Social Workers, Behavioural Health Specialists, Addiction Counsellors, Occupational Therapists, Recovery Support and Peer Support Workers to support these sites with a mobile support team on an ongoing basis. The AHS team utilizes a recovery-oriented, harm-reduction approach to provide timely, in-reached, clinical addiction and mental health support to the operators and residents. Homeward Trust receives funding from the Government of Alberta and the federal Reaching Home program to support efforts to end homelessness in Edmonton. These commitments provide the necessary funding for on-site staff, client costs, and rental assistance to ensure the long-term success of residents.
Permanent Modular Buildings – With the modular process, units such as rooms, bathrooms etc. are manufactured away from the site in a climate-controlled environment. Once made, the prefabricated units are transported to the actual site, where the base has already been built. The units get stacked into place by crane, at which point workers complete the building on-site including connecting electrical, plumbing and other finishing work.
On June 30, 2022, the City of Edmonton began handing over the first of five new supportive housing sites, to provide 210 new homes to Edmontonians who have experienced homelessness. The five projects were fast-tracked with funding from the Rapid Housing Initiative, a national program led by the Government of Canada (via the CMHC) to support shovel-ready permanent supportive housing projects. Additional funding provided by the City of Edmonton, and the Province of Alberta's Municipal Stimulus Program.
View the full release HERE.
View the full release HERE.
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On March 17, 2021, the Government of Canada and the City of Edmonton, in partnership with Homeward Trust and GEF Senior’s Housing, announced details of an approximately $24.8 million investment through the Projects Stream of the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) for the immediate construction of 167 new units of affordable and supportive homes for Edmontonians.
View the full release HERE.
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In December 2020, the Government of Canada and the City of Edmonton, in partnership with Homeward Trust, announced 80 new units of supportive housing with funding support from the Rapid Housing Initiative Major Cities Stream. The two developments, located in King Edward Park and Wellington, will use off-site modular construction techniques and be complete by the end of 2021.
View the full release HERE.
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Previous Media Releases
Previous Media Releases
On June 30, 2022, the City of Edmonton began handing over the first of five new supportive housing sites, to provide 210 new homes to Edmontonians who have experienced homelessness. The five projects were fast-tracked with funding from the Rapid Housing Initiative, a national program led by the Government of Canada (via the CMHC) to support shovel-ready permanent supportive housing projects. Additional funding provided by the City of Edmonton, and the Province of Alberta's Municipal Stimulus Program.
View the full release HERE.
View the full release HERE.
_
On March 17, 2021, the Government of Canada and the City of Edmonton, in partnership with Homeward Trust and GEF Senior’s Housing, announced details of an approximately $24.8 million investment through the Projects Stream of the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) for the immediate construction of 167 new units of affordable and supportive homes for Edmontonians.
View the full release HERE.
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In December 2020, the Government of Canada and the City of Edmonton, in partnership with Homeward Trust, announced 80 new units of supportive housing with funding support from the Rapid Housing Initiative Major Cities Stream. The two developments, located in King Edward Park and Wellington, will use off-site modular construction techniques and be complete by the end of 2021.
View the full release HERE.
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Residents must be referred in order to access Supportive Housing. This is part of a coordinated placement process done with Homeward Trust, Alberta Health Services and housing operators to ensure supports on site match the needs of the residents.
For more information on accessing Supportive Housing, please contact Coordinated Access at coordinatedaccess@homewardtrust.ca or 780-702-5267.
For more information on accessing Supportive Housing, please contact Coordinated Access at coordinatedaccess@homewardtrust.ca or 780-702-5267.
Access to Supportive Housing is by referral only
Access to Supportive Housing is by referral only
Residents must be referred in order to access Supportive Housing. This is part of a coordinated placement process done with Homeward Trust, Alberta Health Services and housing operators to ensure supports on site match the needs of the residents.
For more information on accessing Supportive Housing, please contact Coordinated Access: coordinatedaccess@homewardtrust.ca or 780-702-5267.
For more information on accessing Supportive Housing, please contact Coordinated Access: coordinatedaccess@homewardtrust.ca or 780-702-5267.
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What is a Good Neighbour Plan?
A Good Neighbour Plan outlines the shared commitments of the service provider and community. It identifies who the community can contact if they have concerns and includes an issue resolution process to assist the community and Supportive Housing site in resolving concerns. A Good Neighbour Plan balances and outlines shared rights and responsibilities.
- The residents’ rights to housing, privacy, security, and community, along with the commitment to be a good neighbour
- The provider’s responsibility to facilitate community integration, respect tenant privacy, and have a community feedback and grievance process, and;
- The request that community members recognize Supportive Housing sites are people’s homes, and the people who live there have the same rights to housing, safety, quiet enjoyment and security as all other community members.
Each Homeward Trust Edmonton site has a Good Neighbour Plan, and during the early stages of development, area residents are invited to provide input as part of the engagement process to help guide the development of the Good Neighbour Plans. The residents, staff and neighbours of Supportive Housing sites all have a shared interest in maintaining a safe environment, and these plans can evolve and change over time as needed. If a tenant’s actions put other tenants or the community at risk, the Supportive Housing site Operators (Operators) will work to address and mitigate these actions.
This commitment also includes a written plan that outlines how all the different stakeholders will be engaged, a formal mechanism to report back on issues or concerns, and property management standards.
Ambrose Place
Balwin Place
George's House
Hope Terrace
Iris Court
Morning Fire Protector
Omamoowango-Gamik
tâpwêhtamowin wâskahikan – tâpwê
Terrace Heights
Westmount
Westwood Manor
Ambrose Place - Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: NiGiNan Housing Ventures
Neighbourhood: McCauley
Community Contact name: Ross Hodgson
Contact information: operations@niginan.ca
Program Description:
NiGiNan Housing Ventures is a registered non-profit charity that was formed to address the particular housing needs and requirements of Indigenous people living in Edmonton. We are dedicated to providing supportive, affordable housing opportunities for individuals and families of Indigenous ancestry who have not been successfully served by other organizations in Edmonton.
NiGiNan staff provides support 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Staff are trained and equipped to support all residents in the Supportive Housing domain. Staff provides residents with a stable, supportive housing environment, ensuring that they have access to Indigenous cultural supports, goal-setting support, assistance with attending medical appointments, mental health support, on-site pharmacy services, meals, etc.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
This program enhances the focus of crisis response services and facilities on permanent housing outcomes by increasing access to mental health, addiction, trauma, and Indigenous wellness supports.
The program and housing support(s) at Ambrose Place provide opportunities that enable the hard-to-house or other indigenous peoples who may have been housed and lost their housing due to mental health and addiction issues to find a permanent home. Using a Harm Reduction Model and Indigenous Natural Law NIGINAN can stabilize residents who have experienced chronic and long-term houselessness and allow those residents to maintain successful housing and reduce the load upon emergency services and other public social & medical institutions.
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Balwin Place – Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: George Spady Society
Neighbourhood: Balwin
Community Contact name: Tara Sobey
Contact information: tsobey@gspady.ab.ca
Program Description:
Balwin Place is a Supportive Housing facility operated by the George Spady Society (GSS) in partnership with Alberta Health Services (AHS). Onsite staff provides essential services and long-term housing stability to individuals with complex needs who have experienced chronic homelessness. The 4-story building has 25 single bedroom units and can accommodate four low barrier or wheelchair-bound residents. Staff provides 24/7 support including service planning and coordination. Supportive Housing addresses the need for long-term housing for those most in need. Programming reduces the use of community emergency services, hospital beds, police interaction, and time spent incarcerated. Individuals who used to experience chronic homelessness are safely and stably housed reducing the stress on mainstream service providers and system costs, in turn, increasing community safety.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
Balwin provides in-service medical interventions, as well as 24/7 support staff to meet the unique needs of complex situations that market housing does not or can not address. The multi-disciplinary team here works with community resources to build effective working relationships with residents to address needs in a holistic approach.
Balwin Place furthers the stated goals of the Edmonton Plan by reducing homelessness and developing and participating in integrated system responses. Emphasis on ending chronic homelessness by ensuring that appropriate, prioritized referrals are captured by this admission criteria. Referrals are received via Homeward Trust Coordinated Access and are on the By Name List. An integrated service approach via a formal AHS partnership to allow for access to high-quality in-reach health and psychiatric care. Prevent future homelessness by collaborating with systems to maintain housing for complex individuals. Unique and effective exit planning and diversion when loss of tenancy is unavoidable. Case managers coordinate supports in the areas of physical and mental health, addiction, justice, education, family and child interventions, finances, and cultural and spiritual development. Balwin supports reduced reliance on wider system usage by having a multidisciplinary care team with expertise in mental health and addictions onsite. Balwin Place provides in-reach health care, occupational therapy, crisis intervention, mental health, and addiction support.
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George's House - Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: George Spady Society
Neighbourhood: Sherbrooke
Community Contact name: Michelle Valiquette
Contact information: mvaliquette@gspady.ab.ca
Program Description:
George’s House provides a safe, communal-living environment for individuals who are nearing the end of life and are either experiencing homelessness or would be at risk of becoming homeless without supportive, person-centered palliative care. Residents benefit from onsite case management coordination by George Spady staff and in-reach medical support by AHS Palliative Care specialists.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
George’s house provides a safe and comforting place for individuals who need palliative support and are homeless or vulnerably housed. This 24 hr care home has an interdisciplinary team who concentrates on easing the physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering that may accompany the end-of-life journey.
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Hope Terrace at King Edward Park - Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: The Bissell Centre
Neighbourhood: King Edward Park
Community Contact name: Nola Visser
Contact information: nvisser@bissellcentre.org
Program Description:
Hope Terrace offers housing links to permanent affordable housing with flexible, voluntary support services to assist with stabilization, housing retention and interdependent living. Hope Terrace’s program mission statement is “empowering adults with FASD to fulfill their potential.”
Hope Terrace residents are offered on-site supports 24/7/365. Each resident works closely with the Hope Terrace Care Team and identifies personal goals. The Care Team and Resident Support Workers implement strategies based on the residents individual need and offer the appropriate levels of support using in-reach and out-reach services within the community and city.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
Culturally Aware
- Cultural Support Worker to begin part-time January 2023
- Community ceremonies
- Programming cultural events within the community (i.e., Pow Wows, sweats, medicine picks etc.)
Client Centred
- Care Plans created by Case Manager
- Resident feedback is solicited regularly.
- Monthly tenant meetings
Case Management
- Holistic approach to goal setting and relationship building.
- Connecting residents to outreach supports to ensure wrap-around care.
Community-Based
- Weekly activities and group programming that promote meaningful daily activity both on-site and in the community.
Anti-Oppressive
- All are welcome.
Harm Reduction
- Needle exchange on site
- Inhalation kits available
- In-reach AHS Addiction Counsellor
- In-reach Sexual Health Nurses
- Naloxone distribution site
Evidence-Based
- Occupational Therapist on site
- FASD Informed
- Trauma Informed
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Iris Court – Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: Schizophrenia Society of Alberta
Neighbourhood: Bonnie Doon
Community Contact: Karim Alhiane / Rubyann Rice
Contact information: kalhiane@schizophrenia.ab.ca / rrice@schizophrenia.ab.ca
Program Description:
Iris Court is a licensed supportive living accommodation owned and operated by the Schizophrenia Society Alberta. Iris Court provides 24/7 support for individuals who have a persistent mental health diagnosis with past challenges maintaining housing a safe supported place to call home.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
Working with hospitals or community agencies to transition individuals successfully into permanent supportive housing. Listening to our tenants and making the necessary community referrals to clinical support. Providing meals, practical support, and medication monitoring. Supporting the individual before the issue is a crisis, divert to community resources or problem-solving onsite.
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Morning Fire Protector - Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: Homeward Trust Edmonton
Neighbourhood: Beverly
Community Contact: Patsy Durocher
Contact information: pdurocher@homewardtrust.ca
Program Description:
Morning Fire Protector (MFP) provides long-term case management support to Indigenous individuals and families in a Supportive Housing setting. MFP specifically provides cultural and spiritual support to assist in working through issues that result in homelessness or are barriers to housing stability such as addiction, trauma, and abuse. Supports include goal setting, life skills, cultural education, family reunification support, and healing through the ceremony, cultural events, and activities, both onsite and in the community.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
To provide long-term case management support to Indigenous individual and family tenants in a Supportive housing setting. MFP specifically provides cultural and spiritual support to assist in working through issues that result in homelessness or are barriers to housing stability such as addiction, trauma, and abuse that would not be available in other supportive sites. Supports include goal setting, life skills, cultural education, and healing through the ceremony, cultural events, and activities, on-site and in the community.
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Omamoowango-Gamik Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: NiGiNan Housing Ventures
Neighbourhood: Belvedere
Community Contact name: Blake Jackman
Contact information: programs.manager@niginan.ca
Program Description:
NiGiNan Housing Ventures is a registered non-profit charity that was formed to address the housing needs and requirements of Indigenous people living in Edmonton, Omamoowango-Gamik came into being as a result of a partnership between Right at Home Housing Society and NiGiNan Housing Ventures to provide supportive living housing in the Northeast of Edmonton where there was an identified shortage of housing for indigenous peoples. Omamoo provides Supportive housing to individuals and small families who have struggled with houselessness currently or in the past, Omamoo also provides an environment where families with children in care can stabilize and work towards family reintegration while being supported by staff and the Omamoo community.
NiGiNan provides residents with a stable, supportive housing environment, ensuring that they have access to Indigenous cultural supports, goal-setting support, assistance with attending medical appointments, mental health support. Staff also facilitate onsite workshops and cultural gatherings to foster a community atmosphere and build resident living capacities and life skills.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
This program enhances the focus of crisis response services and facilities on permanent housing outcomes by increasing access to mental health, addiction, trauma, and Indigenous wellness supports.
This program provides supportive housing to indigenous individuals and families not currently served or underserved by the currently existing resources. NiGiNan provides light wrap-around supports and a welcoming and inclusive cultural & spiritual environment where residents can sustain housing and make long-term inroads to resolve challenges that could allow them to become a vital members of the Omamoo community and the larger community.
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tâpwêhtamowin wâskahikan – tâpwê Housing – Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: Native Counselling Services of Alberta
Neighbourhood: Inglewood
Community Contact name: Derek Powder
Contact Information: derek-powder@ncsa.ca
Program Description:
NCSA will offer a circle of wellness for each resident of tâpwêhtamowin wâskahikan – tâpwê Housing, that considers the four dimensions of each resident. In doing so, the program seeks to bring each resident into a healthier space to heal from the multi-layered impacts of living without a home. Then, once a safe and secure environment is established through the Cree approach to relationships, the inter-generational impacts of historic trauma can be addressed at a pace toward goals, which is driven by the resident. Grounded in Cree natural law teachings, each resident will have a wellness plan developed based on their individual priorities of needs.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
The building on 124 street and 112 avenue is esthetically pleasing, secure, built with safety in mind and provides an environment that fits with the neighborhood. The programs and services built by NCSA will create an environment that is welcoming, kind and homey. Wellness Coordinators will work in conjunction with NCSA’s internal and external partners to ensure the residents are fully supported as they move towards the achievement of their wellness plan. Each journey begins with a first step, and each step will be supported on the journey to wellness.
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Terrace Heights – Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: Boyle Street Community Services
Neighbourhood: Terrace Heights
Community Contact name: Shelby Rowlinson
Contact Information: srowlinson@boylestreet.org
Program Description:
Terrace Heights provides low-barrier, supportive housing to individuals who have been identified as requiring more supports with maintaining their housing. These individuals may be experiencing homelessness and/or housing insecurity. Boyle Street Community Services (BSCS) will be providing on-site supports to residents of Terrace Heights. BSCS' mission is to end chronic homelessness. BSCS works to create healthy, safer, and more inclusive spaces for all, placing particular focus on making our services and spaces inclusive to First Nation, Metis, and Inuit people. The Terrace Heights team will provide supports based on the diverse cultures and groups who reside at the site.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
This program provides accommodations for individuals who would otherwise be in the shelter system or on the streets, with a focus on individuals who may have experienced challenges maintaining housing previously. With programming and consistent long-term supports residents will decrease their use of emergency services. BSCS will engage with residents to build skills and awareness around being a good neighbour. BSCS will provide opportunities for residents to participate in community activities that build a sense of trust, belonging, and pride in the community we reside in.
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Westmount – Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: The George Spady Society
Neighbourhood: Westmount
Community Contact name: Nicole Webber
Contact Information: nicolew@gspady.ab.ca
Program Description:
Westmount is a Supportive Housing facility operated by The George Spady Society. Onsite 24/7 staff provide essential services and long-term housing stability to individuals with complex needs who have experienced chronic homelessness. Supportive Housing sites address the need for long-term housing for those most in need. SH programming reduces the use of community emergency services, hospital beds, Police interaction and time spent incarcerated. The individuals are housed in a safe and stable environment. In turn, this reduces the stress on mainstream services and system costs and increases community safety.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
Westmount SH provides in-service interventions (physical, emotional, mental health and spiritual/cultural) for individuals who face multiple barriers in maintaining market housing. In addition to this, the multidisciplinary team works with community resources to build healthy working relationships with individuals in a holistic and trauma-informed approach.
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Westwood Manor – Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: The Mustard Seed
Neighbourhood: Westwood
Community Contact name: Cathy Kendell/Linda Deveau
Contact Information: cathykendell@theseed.ca / lindadeveau@theseed.ca
Program Description:
Westwood Manor is a Supportive Housing Building, operated by The Mustard Seed, that provides shelter and support for up to 20 residents. Referrals are completed in collaboration with the Coordinated Access Team from Homeward Trust and are comprised of individuals with complex needs, as well as a history of homelessness. Individuals who are supported may be experiencing a variety of mental health concerns, including addiction.
Westwood Manor operates from a harm reduction approach and residents are supported in improving their quality of life. Westwood Manor is staffed 24/7, and services are provided with a multi-level team providing case management, with a focus on housing sustainability and improved wellness. Case management services encompass a broad range of supports including, but not limited to medication assistance, life skills development, personal administration supports, referrals and advocacy, documentation, and emotional support. Staff also strive to ensure a safe and stable environment for the residents to call home and to successfully integrate themselves into not only the building community but the surrounding neighbourhood.
The Mustard Seed is a Christian non-profit organization that has been caring for individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty since 1984. Operating in five cities across Alberta and British Columbia, The Mustard Seed is a supportive haven where people can have their physical, mental, and spiritual needs met and grow toward greater health and independence.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
WWM strives to support individuals to learn the skills necessary to obtain and successfully maintain housing independently. While residing at WWM, residents are supported with learning life skills to care for themselves and their housing which includes home care, finances, administrative support, and tenancy management. Supports are provided in a manner to empowers residents to move towards positive change.
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Ambrose Place
Balwin Place
George's House
Hope Terrace
Iris Court
Morning Fire Protector
Omamoowango-Gamik
tâpwêhtamowin wâskahikan – tâpwê
Terrace Heights
Westmount
Westwood Manor
Ambrose Place
Ambrose Place - Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: NiGiNan Housing Ventures
Neighbourhood: McCauley
Community Contact name: Ross Hodgson
Contact information: operations@niginan.ca
Program Description:
NiGiNan Housing Ventures is a registered non-profit charity that was formed to address the particular housing needs and requirements of Indigenous people living in Edmonton. We are dedicated to providing supportive, affordable housing opportunities for individuals and families of Indigenous ancestry who have not been successfully served by other organizations in Edmonton.
NiGiNan staff provides support 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Staff are trained and equipped to support all residents in the Supportive Housing domain. Staff provides residents with a stable, supportive housing environment, ensuring that they have access to Indigenous cultural supports, goal-setting support, assistance with attending medical appointments, mental health support, on-site pharmacy services, meals, etc.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
This program enhances the focus of crisis response services and facilities on permanent housing outcomes by increasing access to mental health, addiction, trauma, and Indigenous wellness supports.
The program and housing support(s) at Ambrose Place provide opportunities that enable the hard-to-house or other indigenous peoples who may have been housed and lost their housing due to mental health and addiction issues to find a permanent home. Using a Harm Reduction Model and Indigenous Natural Law NIGINAN can stabilize residents who have experienced chronic and long-term houselessness and allow those residents to maintain successful housing and reduce the load upon emergency services and other public social & medical institutions.
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Balwin Place
Balwin Place – Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: George Spady Society
Neighbourhood: Balwin
Community Contact name: Tara Sobey
Contact information: tsobey@gspady.ab.ca
Program Description:
Balwin Place is a Supportive Housing facility operated by the George Spady Society (GSS) in partnership with Alberta Health Services (AHS). Onsite staff provides essential services and long-term housing stability to individuals with complex needs who have experienced chronic homelessness. The 4-story building has 25 single bedroom units and can accommodate four low barrier or wheelchair-bound residents. Staff provides 24/7 support including service planning and coordination. Supportive Housing addresses the need for long-term housing for those most in need. Programming reduces the use of community emergency services, hospital beds, police interaction, and time spent incarcerated. Individuals who used to experience chronic homelessness are safely and stably housed reducing the stress on mainstream service providers and system costs, in turn, increasing community safety.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
Balwin provides in-service medical interventions, as well as 24/7 support staff to meet the unique needs of complex situations that market housing does not or can not address. The multi-disciplinary team here works with community resources to build effective working relationships with residents to address needs in a holistic approach.
Balwin Place furthers the stated goals of the Edmonton Plan by reducing homelessness and developing and participating in integrated system responses. Emphasis on ending chronic homelessness by ensuring that appropriate, prioritized referrals are captured by this admission criteria. Referrals are received via Homeward Trust Coordinated Access and are on the By Name List. An integrated service approach via a formal AHS partnership to allow for access to high-quality in-reach health and psychiatric care. Prevent future homelessness by collaborating with systems to maintain housing for complex individuals. Unique and effective exit planning and diversion when loss of tenancy is unavoidable. Case managers coordinate supports in the areas of physical and mental health, addiction, justice, education, family and child interventions, finances, and cultural and spiritual development. Balwin supports reduced reliance on wider system usage by having a multidisciplinary care team with expertise in mental health and addictions onsite. Balwin Place provides in-reach health care, occupational therapy, crisis intervention, mental health, and addiction support.
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George's House
George's House - Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: George Spady Society
Neighbourhood: Sherbrooke
Community Contact name: Michelle Valiquette
Contact information: mvaliquette@gspady.ab.ca
Program Description:
George’s House provides a safe, communal-living environment for individuals who are nearing the end of life and are either experiencing homelessness or would be at risk of becoming homeless without supportive, person-centered palliative care. Residents benefit from onsite case management coordination by George Spady staff and in-reach medical support by AHS Palliative Care specialists.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
George’s house provides a safe and comforting place for individuals who need palliative support and are homeless or vulnerably housed. This 24 hr care home has an interdisciplinary team who concentrates on easing the physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering that may accompany the end-of-life journey.
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Hope Terrace
Hope Terrace at King Edward Park - Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: The Bissell Centre
Neighbourhood: King Edward Park
Community Contact name: Nola Visser
Contact information: nvisser@bissellcentre.org
Program Description:
Hope Terrace offers housing links to permanent affordable housing with flexible, voluntary support services to assist with stabilization, housing retention and interdependent living. Hope Terrace’s program mission statement is “empowering adults with FASD to fulfill their potential.”
Hope Terrace residents are offered on-site supports 24/7/365. Each resident works closely with the Hope Terrace Care Team and identifies personal goals. The Care Team and Resident Support Workers implement strategies based on the residents individual need and offer the appropriate levels of support using in-reach and out-reach services within the community and city.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
Culturally Aware
- Cultural Support Worker to begin part-time January 2023
- Community ceremonies
- Programming cultural events within the community (i.e., Pow Wows, sweats, medicine picks etc.)
Client Centred
- Care Plans created by Case Manager
- Resident feedback is solicited regularly.
- Monthly tenant meetings
Case Management
- Holistic approach to goal setting and relationship building.
- Connecting residents to outreach supports to ensure wrap-around care.
Community-Based
- Weekly activities and group programming that promote meaningful daily activity both on-site and in the community.
Anti-Oppressive
- All are welcome.
Harm Reduction
- Needle exchange on site
- Inhalation kits available
- In-reach AHS Addiction Counsellor
- In-reach Sexual Health Nurses
- Naloxone distribution site
Evidence-Based
- Occupational Therapist on site
- FASD Informed
- Trauma Informed
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Iris Court
Iris Court – Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: Schizophrenia Society of Alberta
Neighbourhood: Bonnie Doon
Community Contact: Karim Alhiane / Rubyann Rice
Contact information: kalhiane@schizophrenia.ab.ca / rrice@schizophrenia.ab.ca
Program Description:
Iris Court is a licensed supportive living accommodation owned and operated by the Schizophrenia Society Alberta. Iris Court provides 24/7 support for individuals who have a persistent mental health diagnosis with past challenges maintaining housing a safe supported place to call home.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
Working with hospitals or community agencies to transition individuals successfully into permanent supportive housing. Listening to our tenants and making the necessary community referrals to clinical support. Providing meals, practical support, and medication monitoring. Supporting the individual before the issue is a crisis, divert to community resources or problem-solving onsite.
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Morning Fire Protector
Morning Fire Protector - Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: Homeward Trust Edmonton
Neighbourhood: Beverly
Community Contact: Patsy Durocher
Contact information: pdurocher@homewardtrust.ca
Program Description:
Morning Fire Protector (MFP) provides long-term case management support to Indigenous individuals and families in a Supportive Housing setting. MFP specifically provides cultural and spiritual support to assist in working through issues that result in homelessness or are barriers to housing stability such as addiction, trauma, and abuse. Supports include goal setting, life skills, cultural education, family reunification support, and healing through the ceremony, cultural events, and activities, both onsite and in the community.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
To provide long-term case management support to Indigenous individual and family tenants in a Supportive housing setting. MFP specifically provides cultural and spiritual support to assist in working through issues that result in homelessness or are barriers to housing stability such as addiction, trauma, and abuse that would not be available in other supportive sites. Supports include goal setting, life skills, cultural education, and healing through the ceremony, cultural events, and activities, on-site and in the community.
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Omamoowango-Gamik
Omamoowango-Gamik Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: NiGiNan Housing Ventures
Neighbourhood: Belvedere
Community Contact name: Blake Jackman
Contact information: programs.manager@niginan.ca
Program Description:
NiGiNan Housing Ventures is a registered non-profit charity that was formed to address the housing needs and requirements of Indigenous people living in Edmonton, Omamoowango-Gamik came into being as a result of a partnership between Right at Home Housing Society and NiGiNan Housing Ventures to provide supportive living housing in the Northeast of Edmonton where there was an identified shortage of housing for indigenous peoples. Omamoo provides Supportive housing to individuals and small families who have struggled with houselessness currently or in the past, Omamoo also provides an environment where families with children in care can stabilize and work towards family reintegration while being supported by staff and the Omamoo community.
NiGiNan provides residents with a stable, supportive housing environment, ensuring that they have access to Indigenous cultural supports, goal-setting support, assistance with attending medical appointments, mental health support. Staff also facilitate onsite workshops and cultural gatherings to foster a community atmosphere and build resident living capacities and life skills.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
This program enhances the focus of crisis response services and facilities on permanent housing outcomes by increasing access to mental health, addiction, trauma, and Indigenous wellness supports.
This program provides supportive housing to indigenous individuals and families not currently served or underserved by the currently existing resources. NiGiNan provides light wrap-around supports and a welcoming and inclusive cultural & spiritual environment where residents can sustain housing and make long-term inroads to resolve challenges that could allow them to become a vital members of the Omamoo community and the larger community.
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tâpwêhtamowin wâskahikan – tâpwê
tâpwêhtamowin wâskahikan – tâpwê Housing – Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: Native Counselling Services of Alberta
Neighbourhood: Inglewood
Community Contact name: Derek Powder
Contact Information: derek-powder@ncsa.ca
Program Description:
NCSA will offer a circle of wellness for each resident of tâpwêhtamowin wâskahikan – tâpwê Housing, that considers the four dimensions of each resident. In doing so, the program seeks to bring each resident into a healthier space to heal from the multi-layered impacts of living without a home. Then, once a safe and secure environment is established through the Cree approach to relationships, the inter-generational impacts of historic trauma can be addressed at a pace toward goals, which is driven by the resident. Grounded in Cree natural law teachings, each resident will have a wellness plan developed based on their individual priorities of needs.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
The building on 124 street and 112 avenue is esthetically pleasing, secure, built with safety in mind and provides an environment that fits with the neighborhood. The programs and services built by NCSA will create an environment that is welcoming, kind and homey. Wellness Coordinators will work in conjunction with NCSA’s internal and external partners to ensure the residents are fully supported as they move towards the achievement of their wellness plan. Each journey begins with a first step, and each step will be supported on the journey to wellness.
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Terrace Heights
Terrace Heights – Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: Boyle Street Community Services
Neighbourhood: Terrace Heights
Community Contact name: Shelby Rowlinson
Contact Information: srowlinson@boylestreet.org
Program Description:
Terrace Heights provides low-barrier, supportive housing to individuals who have been identified as requiring more supports with maintaining their housing. These individuals may be experiencing homelessness and/or housing insecurity. Boyle Street Community Services (BSCS) will be providing on-site supports to residents of Terrace Heights. BSCS' mission is to end chronic homelessness. BSCS works to create healthy, safer, and more inclusive spaces for all, placing particular focus on making our services and spaces inclusive to First Nation, Metis, and Inuit people. The Terrace Heights team will provide supports based on the diverse cultures and groups who reside at the site.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
This program provides accommodations for individuals who would otherwise be in the shelter system or on the streets, with a focus on individuals who may have experienced challenges maintaining housing previously. With programming and consistent long-term supports residents will decrease their use of emergency services. BSCS will engage with residents to build skills and awareness around being a good neighbour. BSCS will provide opportunities for residents to participate in community activities that build a sense of trust, belonging, and pride in the community we reside in.
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Westmount
Westmount – Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: The George Spady Society
Neighbourhood: Westmount
Community Contact name: Nicole Webber
Contact Information: nicolew@gspady.ab.ca
Program Description:
Westmount is a Supportive Housing facility operated by The George Spady Society. Onsite 24/7 staff provide essential services and long-term housing stability to individuals with complex needs who have experienced chronic homelessness. Supportive Housing sites address the need for long-term housing for those most in need. SH programming reduces the use of community emergency services, hospital beds, Police interaction and time spent incarcerated. The individuals are housed in a safe and stable environment. In turn, this reduces the stress on mainstream services and system costs and increases community safety.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
Westmount SH provides in-service interventions (physical, emotional, mental health and spiritual/cultural) for individuals who face multiple barriers in maintaining market housing. In addition to this, the multidisciplinary team works with community resources to build healthy working relationships with individuals in a holistic and trauma-informed approach.
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Westwood Manor
Westwood Manor – Supportive Housing Good Neighbour Plan
Operating Agency: The Mustard Seed
Neighbourhood: Westwood
Community Contact name: Cathy Kendell/Linda Deveau
Contact Information: cathykendell@theseed.ca / lindadeveau@theseed.ca
Program Description:
Westwood Manor is a Supportive Housing Building, operated by The Mustard Seed, that provides shelter and support for up to 20 residents. Referrals are completed in collaboration with the Coordinated Access Team from Homeward Trust and are comprised of individuals with complex needs, as well as a history of homelessness. Individuals who are supported may be experiencing a variety of mental health concerns, including addiction.
Westwood Manor operates from a harm reduction approach and residents are supported in improving their quality of life. Westwood Manor is staffed 24/7, and services are provided with a multi-level team providing case management, with a focus on housing sustainability and improved wellness. Case management services encompass a broad range of supports including, but not limited to medication assistance, life skills development, personal administration supports, referrals and advocacy, documentation, and emotional support. Staff also strive to ensure a safe and stable environment for the residents to call home and to successfully integrate themselves into not only the building community but the surrounding neighbourhood.
The Mustard Seed is a Christian non-profit organization that has been caring for individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty since 1984. Operating in five cities across Alberta and British Columbia, The Mustard Seed is a supportive haven where people can have their physical, mental, and spiritual needs met and grow toward greater health and independence.
How this program advances Edmonton’s Updated Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness:
WWM strives to support individuals to learn the skills necessary to obtain and successfully maintain housing independently. While residing at WWM, residents are supported with learning life skills to care for themselves and their housing which includes home care, finances, administrative support, and tenancy management. Supports are provided in a manner to empowers residents to move towards positive change.
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Issue Resolution Process
Homeward Trust and its Supportive Housing Operators are committed to supporting community members who wish to resolve an issue, including helping to navigate Homeward Trust’s Issue Resolution Policy and to access support or advocacy, as needed.
Homeward Trust is a strong proponent of positive community relationships as well as active efforts and engagement to build and maintain positive community relationships. Accordingly, Homeward Trust encourages people with a concern or issue about any Supportive Housing site and/or its operations, including the behaviour or activity of residents, to start by reaching out to the Supportive Housing Operators’ Community Contact (these contacts are listed in the Good Neighbour Plans above).
If the Supportive Housing Community Contact is unable to resolve a concern or an individual feels it is necessary to escalate the concern to Homeward Trust, then please adhere to Homeward Trust’s Issue Resolution Process, as follows:
- Provide the information requested in Issue Resolution Request Form (found below) to Homeward Trust.
- Homeward Trust will reply within three business days to confirm that the issue resolution request has been received and is being investigated. If the issue is urgent and a three-day response is not acceptable, please contact emergency services. An urgent issue is something that involves imminent risk or harm to life or property.
- Homeward Trust will review and investigate the issue and reply to the stakeholder within 10 business days to either:
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- Request more information;
- Provide the stakeholder with an update, including how it has been, is being, or will be resolved.
Formal Issue Resolution Policy for Homeward Trust-Contracted Supportive Housing Sites
Purpose
This policy sets the direction to manage issues related to the operation of Supportive Housing (SH) sites in Edmonton, and any resulting effects on neighbours and the neighbourhood.
The Issue Resolution Policy (referred to as the “IR Policy”) outlines:
- Homeward Trust’s authority to hear and manage issues,
- The bodies responsible for hearing and responding to issues and their accountabilities, and
- The process for receiving, hearing, and responding to issues.
The Policy is in place to help ensure the successful operation of the SH Site. It supports positive community relationships and neighbourhood enjoyment, especially when an issue is raised.
Background Information
About Supportive Housing
Supportive housing combines affordable housing with intensive coordinated services to help people struggling with chronic physical and mental health issues maintain stable housing and receive appropriate health care.
Residents live in self-contained units and have access to on-site programming delivered by sub-contracted community service agencies, herein referred to as “Operators”. Operators have dedicated staff specializing in providing or facilitating access to support that helps people maintain housing and integrate with the surrounding community.
Residents of SH sites enjoy and experience the same rights to housing, privacy, security, and participation in community life as all community members.
Contractual obligations include adherence to minimal standards, upholding policies, and creating a “Good Neighbour Plan” which includes engaging local community members and progress reporting. Homeward Trust completes ongoing quality assurance processes, which include addressing and responding to any concerns or issues from SH residents, neighbours, and community members.
Informal Direct Feedback Process
Sub-contracted agencies are the ultimate experts in the nuances of their respective sites. As such, community members are invited and encouraged to reach out directly to the site for information, clarity, feedback, and/or assistance. In most cases, this community contact would be able to resolve issues.
A Community Contact for each site is shared in the Good Neighbour Plan, this contact is often able to answer any questions and resolve any concerns. If an issue is raised directly to Homeward Trust, Homeward Trust will facilitate connections to Supportive Housing Operators to resolve the matter as appropriate.
The process is as follows:
- Phone or email the community contact.
- The community contact will respond within 24 hours of receiving the inquiry or the first business day after receiving an inquiry.
- If the feedback is related to a concern, it is expected that is to be investigated and resolved within 7 business days. If this timeframe is not possible, the site operator will communicate an anticipated time frame for resolution.
- The site operator will provide a written summary of how the concern was resolved to the individual who shared the concern and Homeward Trust.
- When appropriate, the person sharing a concern will be provided with any additional follow-up measures.
- Supportive Housing sites will provide quarterly reporting to Homeward Trust regarding the number and nature of informal inquiries that have arisen.
If the Community Contact is unable to resolve a concern or an individual feels it is necessary to escalate the concern to Homeward Trust, the stakeholder can begin the formal process outlined below.
If an individual believes that Homeward Trust has unfairly or unsatisfactorily interpreted or upheld Homeward Trust policy, SH standards, contractual obligations with Operators, or the Issue Resolution Process, they have the right to ask for alternative methods of resolution.
Rights and Responsibilities
Homeward Trust respects that people raising an issue have the right to:
- Request a review of a decision affecting them.
- Access information about the Issue Resolution Process.
- Access advocacy and support during the Issue Resolution Process.
- Have their views been listened to, respected, and considered?
- Receive information about how and why a decision was made.
- Respond to the reasons for a decision, and where possible, the information used to make that decision.
Homeward Trust expects that stakeholders fulfill the following responsibilities:
- Reach out to the community contact to have issues addressed.
- File a formal issue resolution request promptly after discussing it with the community contact.
- Respect the confidentiality of an individual’s personal information, and the obligation of Homeward Trust and its Supportive Housing Operators to protect that confidentiality.
- Provide information to support their issue, including any new or additional information that arises.
- Respect the inherent human rights of all People.
- Provide their contact information.
- Act in good faith during the entire process.
Issues Covered by the Policy
The Issues Resolution Policy applies to issues regarding the operation of Supportive Housing sites by Supportive Housing Operators, which includes those related to:
- Appearance of a Supportive Housing site.
- Behavior or activities of residents of a Supportive Housing site.
- Behavior or activities of the staff of a Supportive Housing site.
- Anything that contravenes positive community relationships and neighbourhood enjoyment.
- Other infractions that contravene Homeward Trust’s policies, standards, and/or Good Neighbour Plan.
Accordingly, the following types of issues are either outside of Homeward Trust’s authority or, for legal reasons, cannot be addressed through this process.
- Issues about areas set out in legislation or regulation and beyond Homeward Trust and the Operators’ authorities.
- Issues about events that are before the court or other legal proceedings.
Homeward Trust will refer these issues to the appropriate channel, should they arise.
Continuous Quality Improvement
Homeward Trust records, tracks, and follows up on all Issue Resolution Requests received, then reports and analyzes the information and uses it as part of its overall quality assurance process to improve services and performance. Homeward Trust views each issue as an opportunity to address a specific concern and learn and improve how SH is delivered in Edmonton. Where an issue involves the actions of Supportive Housing Operators, Homeward Trust provides feedback or takes action to support the Operators’ own continuous quality improvement process. Homeward Trust also has compliance assurance mechanisms built into its contracts, and the Supportive Housing Operators have these mechanisms in place with residents.
Issue Resolution Policy
Homeward Trust and its Supportive Housing Operators are committed to supporting community members who wish to resolve an issue, including helping to navigate Homeward Trust’s Issue Resolution Policy and to access support or advocacy, as needed.
Homeward Trust is a strong proponent of positive community relationships as well as active efforts and engagement to build and maintain positive community relationships. Accordingly, Homeward Trust encourages people with a concern or issue about any Supportive Housing site and/or its operations, including the behavior or activity of residents, to start by reaching out to the Supportive Housing Operators’ Community Contact.
If the Supportive Housing Community Contact is unable to resolve a concern or an individual feels it is necessary to escalate the concern to Homeward Trust, then please adhere to Homeward Trust’s Issue Resolution Process, as follows:
- Provide the information requested in the below Issue Resolution Request to Homeward Trust. Issue Resolution Requests can be emailed to Homeward Trust at info@homewardtrust.ca.
- Homeward Trust will reply within three business days to confirm that the issue resolution request has been received and is being investigated. If the issue is urgent and a three-day response is not acceptable, please contact emergency services. An urgent issue is something that involves imminent risk or harm to life or property.
- Homeward Trust will review and investigate the issue and reply to the stakeholder within 10 business days to either:
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- Request more information
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- Provide the stakeholder with an update, including how it has been, is being, or will be resolved.
Please note that the timeframes outlined in the above process may be exceeded or expedited if:
- There is an agreement with the person raising the issue; or
- A significant delay cannot be avoided either because of a delay or inaction by the person raising the issue or a requirement to engage other parties or another mechanism, process, or system to resolve the issue.
If the individual believes that Homeward Trust has unsatisfactorily interpreted or upheld Homeward Trust policy, Supportive Housing Standards, the Issue Resolution Policy, or contractual obligations with community service agencies, the individual is encouraged to contact Homeward Trust’s Supportive Housing Manager to discuss alternative measures of resolution.
