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The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) is committed to managing encampments compassionately and efficiently. Our comprehensive strategy is designed to address each situation through well-defined phases, ensuring the safety and dignity of all individuals involved.
Reporting an encampment Responding to encampments Community resources Recent updates
Phase I: Notification and Risk Assessment
Once the report of a new encampment is received, Bylaw Services will coordinate with the RCMP to attend the reported site, conduct an initial assessment and identify required resources.
Street Outreach will be notified and coordinate efforts to attend the site for outreach and assessments.
Phase 2: Support and Resources
During the site visit, a thorough risk assessment will decide the type of action in a coordinated approach between Street Outreach, Bylaw Services and the RCMP.
The assessment will focus on:
Low risk situations will focus on coordination with community support services and adherence to safety regulations.
High risk situations will see the creation of an immediate response plan based on the severity of the risk.
Encampment closures are conducted only after all individuals are offered appropriate housing alternatives.
After decampment, Bylaw Services conducts follow-up visits to ensure the site remains vacant.
Cleanup operations are only undertaken on lands managed by the Municipality, while respecting private and non-municipal government property.
This strategy ensures that every response is implemented with care, prioritizing the well-being of encampment residents and maintaining community safety and compliance.
These programs provide critical services and involve multiple coordinated access points:
Outreach and support services: The Centre of Hope, The Salvation Army, Alberta Health Services, Wood Buffalo Wellness Society and others contribute to ongoing support efforts.
RCMP Community Response: Facilitates community resources provision, such as Victim Services and crime prevention when necessary.
For immediate help or information regarding housing services, please contact:
Centre of Hope: (780) 743-3912
The Salvation Army: (780) 743-4135
Wood Buffalo Wellness Society: (587) 537-8477
Encampments: 5 active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 208 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Encampments: 6 active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 214 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Encampments: 6 active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 203 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Archived encampment response updates:
Dec. 18, 2025
Encampments: 6 active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 193 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Nov. 27, 2025
Encampments: 8 active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 183 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Nov. 13, 2025
Encampments: 10 active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 182 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Oct. 30, 2025
Encampments: 11 active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 179 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Oct. 16, 2025
Encampments: 13 active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 201 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Oct. 2, 2025
Encampments: 14 active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 200 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Sept. 18, 2025
Encampments: 13 active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 196 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Sept. 4, 2025
Encampments: 11 active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 199 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Aug. 21, 2025
Encampments: 11 active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 185 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Aug. 7, 2025
Encampments: 10 active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 205 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
July 24, 2025
Encampments: 10 active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 209 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
July 10, 2025
Encampments: 12 active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 217 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
June 26, 2025
Encampments: Seven active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 201 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
June 12, 2025
Encampments: Six active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 207 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
May 27, 2025
Encampments: Five active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 197 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
May 15, 2025
Encampments: Eight active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 193 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
April 17, 2025
Encampments: Four active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 173 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
March 20, 2025
Encampments: Two active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 164 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Feb. 20, 2025
Encampments: Three active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 163 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Jan. 16, 2025
Encampments: Four active encampments are currently being monitored, one of which is located on private property and is under joint response.
The community is currently supporting 166 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Encampments: Four active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 166 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Encampments: Four active encampments are currently being monitored.
Three sites are scheduled for clean up.
The community is currently supporting 163 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
The community is currently supporting 157 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Encampments: Nine active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 153 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Encampments: Nine active encampments are currently being monitored.
The community is currently supporting 152 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Encampments: Eight active encampments are currently being monitored.
Outreach efforts: Ongoing outreach to these sites continues.
The community is currently supporting 149 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Encampments: Seven active encampments are currently being monitored.
Outreach efforts: Ongoing outreach to these sites continues.
The community is currently supporting 150 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Aug. 29, 2024
Encampments: Ten active encampments are currently being monitored
Outreach efforts: Ongoing outreach to these sites continues.
Site decampment: To date this year, 36 encampment sites have been decamped
Two sites will be cleaned in the next week.
The community is currently supporting 150 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
Aug. 15, 2024
EncampmentsEight active encampments are currently being monitored
Outreach efforts: Ongoing outreach to these sites continues.
Site decampmentTo date this year, 35 encampment sites have been decamped
Two sites will be cleaned in the next week.
The community is currently supporting 152 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
EncampmentsFour active encampments are currently being monitored
Outreach efforts: Ongoing outreach to these sites continues.
Site decampmentTo date this year, 35 encampment sites have been decamped.
The community is currently supporting 153 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
July 18, 2024
The community is currently supporting 157 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
July 4, 2024
The community is currently supporting 161 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
June 20, 2024
EncampmentsThree active encampments and one inactive encampment are currently being monitored.
The inactive encampment is on provincial land, which makes it challenging to initiate demobilizationIt is expected it will remain in place over the summer.
Site cleanupTo date this year, we have cleaned up 18 inactive encampment sites.
Three inactive encampments will be demobilized in the coming weeks.
Two inactive encampments have been identified on private property. The property owner has been notified and will be responsible for cleaning these sites.
The community is currently supporting 162 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
June 6, 2024
Encampments: Four active and two inactive encampment are currently being monitored.
One inactive encampment is on provincial land, which makes it challenging to initiate demobilization. It is expected it will remain in place over the summer.
Outreach efforts: Ongoing outreach to these sites continues.
Site cleanup: Four encampments have been demobilized and cleanup continues at all active encampments.
The community is currently supporting 159 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant.
May 23, 2024
EncampmentsThree active encampments and one inactive encampment are currently being monitored
The inactive encampment is on provincial land, which makes it challenging to initiate demobilizationIt is expected it will remain in place over the summer.
Outreach efforts: Ongoing outreach to these sites continues.
Site cleanupTwo encampments have been demobilized. One encampment is scheduled to be demobilized next week.
Downtown focus: Bylaw and RCMP have increased their presence in downtown areas and known encampment zones.
Regular visits: Daily visits to encampment sites by Bylaw and RCMP ensure continuous oversight.
Street outreachTeams will conduct daily visits to accessible sites, coordinating efforts with enforcement teams when necessary.
The community is currently supporting 157 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant. With additional funding secured for 2024-25, organizations are prepared to expand reach by adding 60 more individuals to their caseload.
Teams are working diligently to quickly fill these spots with individuals who are currently waiting for outreach services or transitioning from other programs. This ensures that support is directed where it is most needed.
Among those currently assisted, outreach continues to identify needs for individuals living rough, facing the most challenging conditions. As participants move towards independent living, their progress opens new opportunities for others to benefit from supportive housing initiatives.
May 9, 2024
Encampments: Six active encampments and one inactive encampment are currently being monitored
Outreach efforts: We're committed to promoting housing solutions through ongoing outreach to these sites.
Site cleanup: Two encampments have been demobilized
Downtown focus: Bylaw and RCMP have increased their presence in downtown areas and known encampment zones.
Regular visits: Daily visits to encampment sites by Bylaw and RCMP ensure continuous oversight.
Street outreach: Teams will conduct daily visits to accessible sites, coordinating efforts with enforcement teams when necessary.
The community is currently supporting 161 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant. With additional funding secured for 2024-25, organizations are prepared to expand reach by adding 60 more individuals to their caseload.
Teams are working diligently to quickly fill these spots with individuals who are currently waiting for outreach services or transitioning from other programs. This ensures that support is directed where it is most needed.
Among those currently assisted, outreach continues to identify needs for individuals living rough, facing the most challenging conditions. As participants move towards independent living, their progress opens new opportunities for others to benefit from supportive housing initiatives.
April 25, 2024
Encampments: Three active and two inactive encampments are currently being monitored.
Outreach efforts: We're committed to promoting housing solutions through ongoing outreach to these sites.
Site cleanup: Scheduled cleanups for inactive encampments are planned to commence soon.
Downtown focus: Bylaw and RCMP will increase their presence in downtown areas and known encampment zones.
Regular visits: Daily visits to encampment sites by Bylaw and RCMP will ensure continuous oversight.
Street outreach: Teams will conduct daily visits to accessible sites, coordinating efforts with enforcement teams when necessary.
The community is currently supporting 151 individuals through housing programs funded by the Community Plan on Homelessness grant. With additional funding secured for 2024-25, organizations are prepared to expand reach by adding 60 more individuals to their caseload.
Teams are working diligently to quickly fill these spots with individuals who are currently waiting for outreach services or transitioning from other programs. This ensures that support is directed where it is most needed.
At least 20 caseload spots will be available for individuals listed on the By-Name List (BNL), a crucial resource that helps prioritize housing based on various factors, including the urgency of each individual's situation.
Among those currently assisted, outreach continues to identify needs for individuals living rough, facing the most challenging conditions. As participants move towards independent living, their progress opens new opportunities for others to benefit from supportive housing initiatives.
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Phone: 780-743-7000
Toll free: 1-800-973-9663
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