Exhibition Lands Bridge Housing

Thank you for your questions.
1. The operator will assign rooms based on many factors, including gender. There is space for couples, family members or close friends to stay together.
2. Each resident has their own room. There are shared washroom and shower facilities on the second and third floors and a common area for dining or programming on the main floor. There is also ample storage space and laundry facilities in the basement.
3. There is a commercial kitchen where meals will be prepared for residents.
4. The dormitory was leased to Homeward Trust for 3 years, with an option to extend for an additional 2 years. Homeward Trust Edmonton is a not-for-profit organization that works on behalf of community and in partnership with government and local agencies to end homelessness in Edmonton. Homeward Trust is also the designated community entity to coordinate housing and homelessness programming using federal and provincial funds. It leads efforts that address homelessness and its devastating impacts on individuals, families, and neighborhoods. Its efforts are driven by community need and priorities outlined in A Place to Call Home: Edmonton’s Updated Plan to End and Prevent Homelessness. Homeward Trust contracts more than 30 agencies, supporting over 100 projects a year to deliver on our shared mandate to end homelessness. It will issue an RFP for an operator to run the bridge housing program.
5. The intake process for bridge housing is rigorous and identifies people who are committed to securing housing and ready to take that step. People staying in bridge housing will work with a housing support worker to develop a plan that lays out everything they need to secure and maintain housing. On-site staff will connect residents with whatever support they need to stabilize their health and wellness and transition into housing. Depending on their needs, they may move on to market housing, subsidized or below-market affordable housing, or supportive housing.
6. People staying in bridge housing will work with a housing support worker to develop a plan that lays out everything they need to secure and maintain permanent housing. That can include accessing income support programs and any applicable rental assistance to help cover the cost of rent in subsidized or below-market affordable housing or supportive housing. Benefits are assigned based on an individual’s unique circumstances; Homeward Trust and the contracted operator will work with AB Supports and other programs to determine eligibility. Homeward Trust administers funds on behalf of the municipal, provincial and federal governments to assist clients with start-up costs, which include damage deposit, rent and other basic needs.
7. Bridge housing is designed to be low barrier, which means that in some cases support staff will assist residents with managing substance use. The residents will have access to resources and staff who can help them get treatment for addictions issues, if they choose. The goal is to connect people with housing.

The day-use and isolation shelter at the Expo Centre was a temporary measure in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. It did not provide continuous stay accomodation; rather, people who were not isolating had to leave to find an overnight shelter. 

People staying in bridge housing will have a temporary home where they can focus on the search for permanent housing in a supportive environment. They will be able to access on-site support or get help to attend off-site appointments. 

We understand that nearby residents have concerns about community safety. It's important to note that social disorder associated with homelessness is a symptom of a lack of housing and appropriate housing, health and wellness support. 

Permanent housing is the solution and bridge housing helps put people experiencing homelessness on that path. 

The Good Neighbour Plan will include a Community Contact whom neighbours can contact to share feedback and concerns. The Operator will work to resolve concerns. If the concern isn't resolved, it will be referred to Homeward Trust's issue resolution process. This process can help address concerns related to the building's appearance, the behaviour or activities of residents or staff, and anything that hinders a positive community relationship and neighbourhood enjoyment.  

The City is looking for quick and cost-effective ways to respond to the homelessness crisis in Edmonton. Refurbishing the Remand Centre would not be cost effective as it has been fully decommissioned and the pipes, wires, heating systems, and lighting all taken out. 

Additionally, the City is committed to transitioning people out of homelessness and into housing that works for them, whether it's supportive, affordable or market housing. The Remand Centre is not housing and it was not designed in a way that responds to the needs of people who are seeking support. 

Every resident will work with a housing support worker to identify their housing needs and goals. Together, they will create a tailored plan that will help them work toward securing housing. 

The residents will also receive the health and social supports they need to transition into housing, whether it's medical or pharmacy care, mental health care, disability services, wellness supports or life skills.

Bridge housing is not a shelter as it will not offer walk-in service or support and residents do not have to leave during the day. Residents stay for an average of 30 to 90 days, but they will not be removed from the program at the end of 90 days. However, bridge housing is not designed for long-term residency and the residents will continue to work with a housing support worker to find permanent housing. 

On June 22, City Council approved a below-market lease to Homeward Trust. The lease is for 3 years with an option to extend for another 2 years. There is also a 180 day termination clause should the building or land be needed as part of the Exhibition Lands redevelopment. 

The Good Neighbour Plan will include a Community Contact whom neighbours can contact to share feedback and concerns. The Operator will work to resolve concerns. If the concern isn't resolved, it will be referred to Homeward Trust's issue resolution process. This process can help address concerns related to the building's appearance, the behaviour or activities of residents or staff, and anything that hinders a positive community relationship and neighbourhood enjoyment.  

Residents enter bridge housing through an intake process managed by Homeward Trust. 

Homeward Trust is a non-profit organization that plays an important role in addressing homelessness in Edmonton. Along with providing funding and oversight to service providers, it manages the “by-name list.”

The “by-name list” is list of people experiencing homelessness who are ready to be connected to housing support. That’s how the future of residents of bridge housing will be identified. Once selected, residents receive on-site health and well-being supports. They will also be connected with a housing worker who will help them secure housing that meets their needs, whether that's supportive housing, affordable housing or market housing. You can learn more about supportive and affordable housing at edmonton.ca/affordablehousing .

Bridge housing provides a temporary home for people while they focus on the search for permanent housing in a supportive environment. It is continuous stay accommodation, meaning residents do not have to leave during the day. 

Residents will have their own room, storage space, access to washroom and shower facilities, laundry, meals and on-site support services. Every resident will work with a housing support worker to identify their housing needs and goals. 

Together, they will create a tailored plan that will help them work toward securing housing. The residents will also receive the health and social supports they need to transition into housing, whether it's medical or pharmacy care, mental health care, disability services, wellness supports or life skills. These supports will be offered on-site or the residents will receive help to access them off-site. You can learn more about bridge housing by watching the video presentation on this page. 

Bridge housing allows people who want to be housed to focus on their search in a supportive environment. Every resident will work with a housing support worker to identify their housing needs and goals. Together, they will create a tailored plan that will help them work toward securing housing.

The residents will also receive the health and social supports they need to transition into housing, whether it's medical or pharmacy care, mental health care, disability services, wellness supports or life skills. These supports will be offered on-site or the residents will receive help to access them off-site.