Two weeks ago in an 11-2 vote, the council asked the administration to study the idea, then report the cost and provide recommendations. The administration said in a written report that it would cost $2.1 million to operate three small-scale camps from early August to late October. City staff is not recommending implementation of the pilot program, “due to time constraints for operation and shutdown before winter, significant operating costs, lack of opportunity to do this project in partnership with neighborhoods, and potential regulatory approvals,” according to the report. Management asked Boyle Street Community Services to submit a cost estimate. The nonprofit is interested in operating the approved camp and then transitioning to tiny houses for a year-round solution. Boyle Street envisioned seating 20 people in each of the three lots using tents and cots. Each camp would be surrounded by a fence. Two meals per day will be provided along with a toilet trailer, drinking water, picnic tables, a fire pit and storage for belongings. Private security will be hired to provide 24 hour service. Other staff will include a program manager, support workers, an overdose response team and on-site cleanup staff. Management said benefits include privacy and security for clients as well as the opportunity for them to reduce their commute by having access to on-site housing workers for the transition to permanent housing. Under the list of challenges, the administration cites concerns about the short timeline, potential negative impacts on the neighborhoods where the camps will be located, and the potential for drug use and the need for peace officers or police officers to be involved if there is a problem. The administration is also concerned that additional camps could be established outside the approved sites. “If this is allowed to happen, each pilot site risks becoming larger and unmanageable,” the report says. “This would create a risk of treating those on one side of the fence very differently from those on the other side who are sanctioned.”
“It seems like a lot of money”
Coun. Anne Stevenson made the initial motion directing management to provide a report. He told CBC News he was surprised by the $2.1 million price tag. “This is not a wise investment of our funds,” Stevenson said. “That level of investment for three months for something that is in no way a preferred solution or outcome doesn’t seem to make a lot of sense.” Coun. Tim Cartmell said he feels the same way. Coun. Tim Cartmell called the approved camp proposal a band-aid solution. (CBC) “That seems like a lot of money,” Cartmell said. “It’s a band-aid approach. It’s not a permanent approach. I don’t know that over time, it’s worth the investment.” As part of its report, the administration provided information and costs for more permanent additions to the fight against homelessness. Three nonprofits have proposed a plan that would use workforce trailers to house 140 people. The annual cost would be $10.6 million, but that would not include the cost of renting the trailers or utilities. Prefab tiny houses will cost between $30,000 and $100,000 per unit, but that doesn’t include the cost of preparing individual spaces or operating costs. Buying 60 would cost up to $6 million. The report said that with the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions and an increase in travel, most Edmonton hoteliers are no longer willing to consider short-term leases to provide bridge accommodation. Leasing costs for 200 units would cost $5.4 million annually. Management suggested that instead of the pilot program, they could spend more time analyzing and planning a year-round solution that would go into effect next spring. “If we can start now to implement some different approaches for next spring, I think that goes a long way,” Stevenson said, though she remains concerned about finding an immediate solution for this summer. “That’s a crisis we’re dealing with right now and I hope we can come up with some other creative solutions for this season.”
