The Municipality supports the work of the homeless-serving sector by administering funding and aiding program development.
Are you experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness? Do you know someone experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness? Search the resources below to access the help you require.
Housing Referrals
Are you or your family experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness? You can get referrals to housing and support services through a Coordinated Access System. Please contact Pulse.
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What is the Coordinated Access System? |
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The Coordinated Access System is made up of multiple community agencies helping Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo residents experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness access services. At the first point of contact, an assessment is completed to understand client needs. Based on this assessment, appropriate programs are recommended to provide the support required. This system ensures client have access to multiple programs delivered by various organizations across the Municipality. |
Encampment Response
The Municipality addresses encampments on public lands through a collaborative approach with local service providers and the RCMP. The collaborative approach helps:
- Maintain dignity for individuals living rough and provide access to support services.
- Increase the safety of encampment residents, businesses and general public through risk assessments.
- Cleaning up and removing encampments from public property.
Manning Avenue and Clearwater Drive Encampments
On Aug. 9, the RMWB along with partner agencies and caseworkers peacefully relocated 29 people staying in the Manning Avenue encampment to safer accommodations, with better access to support services and programs. Everyone relocated will continue to be supported by partner agencies along with caseworkers to ensure they have access to a wide range of supports, services, and long-term housing options.
The encampment on Manning Ave. has been safely dismantled and crews cleaned up the area.
There are 12 people that have been identified staying in the encampment on Clearwater Drive. The process has begun with partner agencies along with caseworkers to safely relocate these people and provide the same support services and long-term housing options. Once everyone has been relocated, the Clearwater Drive encampment will be removed and the area will be cleaned up.
The Municipality and partner agencies will continue to closely monitor the area. If another encampment is discovered, outreach services will be dispatched to provide support resources and appropriate housing options to those living rough.
Reporting Encampments
If you encounter an encampment, call Pulse to report it. Do not approach encampment occupants. If you see an illegal act or are concerned for someone’s safety, call the RCMP non-emergent line at 780-780-4040. For emergencies, call 9-1-1.
See Heading Home: A collaborative approach towards encampments in Fort McMurray brochure and the Community Encampment Response Strategy flowchart for more information.
Extreme Weather Response
The Municipality, in collaboration with the homeless-serving sector, has created a plan to support individuals or families experiencing homelessness during extreme weather. The plan is initiated by temperatures colder than -20 degrees Celsius and warmer than 32 degrees Celsius for more than 3 consecutive days. It is intended to be followed when the temperatures reach lows or highs that could be considered dangerous if exposed to for prolonged periods of time.
If you see someone unsheltered outdoors in need of assistance, call:
- 9-1-1 if it’s an emergency.
- Pulse.
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Warm Up/Cool Down Centres in Fort McMurray |
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Landlords and Tenants
The forms below are available to residents of Wood Buffalo for the use in residential tenancies. It is our sincere hope that with proper forms the foundation to mutually beneficial tenancies can be established. These forms are not provided as a legal resource and do not replace any legal advice. Any alteration to these forms may render them invalid in the province of Alberta. It is important that the person using these forms understands proper service of these documents and knows their rights and responsibilities as outlined in the Residential Tenancies Act.
Municipality's Response to Homelessness
The Municipality is a stakeholder in the Community Plan on Homelessness (CPH) responsible for carrying out the contractual responsibilities and obligations with the Provincial and Federal government’s funding disbursements.
The CPH team works in collaboration with community agencies to enable programming to meet the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness. The CPH team also monitors and supports funded agencies in their agreement responsibilities and obligations.
The Housing First Philosophy
Access to housing is a basic human right, and homelessness contradicts the right to safe and adequate shelter. People experiencing homelessness should be provided with a stable and secure place to live prior to addressing addiction, mental health, and/or unemployment. By providing stable housing, individuals can better address challenges and ultimately achieve success in improving well-being.
Point-in-time (PiT) Homeless Count
Point-in-Time (PiT) Counts were established to obtain a baseline against which to monitor the changes in the homeless population. The Municipality has been conducting homelessness surveys locally since 2006 and became part of the province-wide initiative in 2014. Conducting PiT Counts is one tool to determine the progress of ending homelessness.
Municipal staff and volunteer surveyors conducted the Fort McMurray Point-in-Time Count on Sept. 26 and 27, 2022. Surveyors walked through the urban service area of Fort McMurray to speak with individuals on the street about their housing situation. See the 2022 Point-in-Time Homeless Count report for key findings.
Homelessness Initiatives Strategic Committee
The Homelessness Initiatives Strategic Committee (HISC) is an action-focused group that stewards and advocates for the community plan on homelessness. HISC is involved with strategic planning, funding, communication, research and best practice. It advocates for funding and policy change and are champions in the community. HISC advises the RMWB on the community plan on homelessness including strategic direction and program priorities. Additionally, HISC makes funding recommendations to the RMWB related to federal and provincial funding, complies with provincial and federal agreements, identifies systems barriers and works collaboratively with community to alleviate them.
Join the Committee
HISC is currently seeking applications from the community to fill vacant positions. If you are interested in joining HISC, fill out an application form.
Community Plan on Homelessness (CPH) Funded Agencies
Each year, the Municipality receives funding from the federal and provincial governments to support homelessness initiatives in the region. HISC accepts applications from local non-profits and makes recommendations to Council to allocate funding.
| 2023-2024 CPH Funded Agencies and Programs | ||||||||
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| Program Descriptions | ||||||||
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Become an Access Point Under the Coordinated Access System
Community agencies can serve as single-entry access points where people experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness can receive support and resources. Training is available for new access points. If you are interesting in becoming an access point, please contact Pulse.
Homeless Sector Resources
Need assistance with housing supports? Contact Wood Buffalo Wellness Society triage line at (780) 743-4003 or one of the Coordinated Access Points.
| Coordinated Access Points Contacts | |||
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When applicable, Coordinated Access Services can also be received through Alberta Health Services (Street Connect and Inpatient Psychiatry), Waypoints (Unity House and Second Stage Housing), Wood Buffalo Wellness Society (Mark Amy Treatment Centre), and Nistawoyou Association Friendship Centre. Clients and members of these programs are eligible to receive Coordinated Access services by contacting the above mentioned agencies directly.
Reports
| Homelessness Reports Library | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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