Canada Global(Web News)145 people have sought help through its new navigation and support center since it opened on Jan. 17, the Alberta government said.
The center opened last month in downtown Edmonton amid ongoing debate about how to deal with Edmonton’s homelessness crisis. The Alberta government said the centre, located at the Kreis Center at 103rd Avenue and 106th Street, will provide more support for people living in homeless encampments across the city.
In a news release on Saturday, the province also said more than 500 referrals and direct contacts have been made to available services.
More than 55 people have been connected to housing programs, including affordable housing and rent supplements, and at least 80 people have been connected to emergency shelters, transitional and supportive housing, the province said. Service Alberta has also issued more than 60 ID cards and connected at least 60 people with employment and financial services.
The Alberta government said the centre’s ‘benefit is that people can access a range of services in one place’. The
province said more than 50 people have been referred for health support and about 40 for mental health. Linked to health and addiction services, including about 10 people who started opioid agonist therapy (OAT).
“We have made significant progress toward a long-term solution that both supports the vulnerable and holds the gangs and drug dealers who prey on them accountable,” said Edmonton Police Service Chief Dale McPhee.
