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HomeCommunity Services and Social SupportResponding to Homelessness
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Responding to Homelessness

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.

Homelessness

Homeless Sector Resources

Encampment Strategy

Landlords and Tenants

Become an Access Point

Forms

Committee

About the Committee

Join the Committee

Reports

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.

What is the Coordinated Access System?

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.

Warm Up/Cool Down Centres in Fort McMurray

Centre of Hope Drop-in Centre (10095 Marshall Street)

Operates every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Northlife Soup Kitchen (142 Alberta Drive)

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Monday - Friday)

Salvation Army Emergency Shelters (9919 Macdonald Ave)

Operates 24/7 in Extreme Weather Conditions

Stepping Stones Youth Services (102 McConachie Crescent)

Open every day, 24/7

Wood Buffalo Regional Library (1 C.A. Knight Way)

10 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Tuesday - Friday), 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Saturday to Monday)

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.

Form Library for Landlords and Tenants
Accommodation Inspection Report
Landlord's 14 Day Notice of Termination of Tenancy for Substantial Breach
Landlord's 14 Day Notice of Termination of Tenancy for Substantial Breach (Non-Payment of Rent)
Landlord's 24 Hour Notice of Termination of Tenancy for Damage or Assault
Landlord's Notice of Objection to Tenant's 14 Day Notice of Termination for Substantial Breach 
Landlord's Notice to Tenant (Termination of Periodic Residential Tenancy)
Landlord's Notice to Tenant to Enter Premises
Landlord's Notice to Tenant of Rental Increase
Residential Tenancy Agreement (Fixed Term)
Residential Tenancy Agreement (Monthly Periodic)
Statement of Account Re: Security Deposit
Tenant's 14 Day Notice of Termination of Tenancy for Substantial Breach
Tenant's Notice of Objection to Landlord's 14 Day Notice of Termination for Substantial Breach
Tenant's Notice to Landlord (Termination of Periodic Residential Tenancy)

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.

Committee Application Form Terms of Reference

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

Centre of Hope

Housing First, Permanent Supportive Housing, and Eviction Prevention

The Salvation Army of Fort McMurray

Housing First and Diversion

Wood Buffalo Wellness Society

Housing First, Rapid Re-Housing, Outreach, Centralized Intake, and Tawâw

The YMCA of Northern Alberta

Housing First

Program Descriptions

Centralized Intake

This program is a frontline program for all individuals seeking housing. This program conducts triage for assessing needs and placing individuals into housing programs or outreach as required. There are 14 Coordinated Access Points in the region.

Diversion Program

Assists individuals that are homeless or at risk of being homeless. The program strives to meet individuals where they are and build in support before they enter the shelter system.

Eviction Prevention Program

Caseworker assists with community referrals, housing, employment, and provincial benefits like Alberta Works and AISH. The Eviction Prevention Program works with individuals who have received an eviction notice to support them in retaining their rental. This offers one time support with utility and rent arrears and works with individuals for referrals to community supports to prevent evictions.

Housing First Program

A participant-centered approach that deems housing a basic right in society and removes all pre-conditions to being housed (such as addiction or mental health status). The concept is that the first and primary need for a homeless individual is to obtain safe and stable housing and then other issues can be addressed.

Outreach Program

The Outreach Program receives referrals from the Centralized Intake program, external service providers and self-referrals from within the community. The Outreach Worker assists clients in identifying and addressing the barriers that have either led to them becoming homeless or to them having their housing in jeopardy. 

Permanent Supportive Housing

This program houses chronically homeless individuals with severe barriers. It is highly successful with participants who have been otherwise unable to sustain housing. This program provides 24/7 wrap-around services.

Rapid Re-Housing Program

Supports people who are currently homeless and, based on assessment, have a low to mid score in risk factors contributing to their homelessness using the Service Priority Decision Assistance Tool (SPDAT). They are experiencing homelessness but do not require as much support.

Tawâw

A supportive living facility that follows an Indigenous lens, harm reduction, and trauma-informed model. The program connects residents with Elders and Knowledge keepers, as well as access to ceremony and language with the understanding that homelessness from an Indigenous perspective is born largely out of a lack of connection to self, identity, family, community and culture. The program offers both Western and Indigenous modalities of healing while offering residents community, stability and dignity. By providing housing and support services, participants will achieve a greater quality of life with improved health outcomes and fewer interactions with EMS and law enforcement.

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

Centre of Hope- Drop-in Centre and Outreach Program

10095 Marshall Street, Fort McMurray

Phone Number: 780-743-3912

The Salvation Army- MAT Program, Community Response Unit and Diversion Program

9919 MacDonald Avenue, Fort McMurray

Phone Number: 780-743-4135 ext. 34

Wood Buffalo Wellness Society- Centralized Intake and Outreach Program

214-9914 Morrison Street Fort McMurray

Phone Number: 780 381-7323 (Centralized Intake), 780-881-2840 (Outreach Program)

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
2022 Point in Time Homeless Count
2022 RMWB Community Homelessness Report Summary 2021-2022
2021 RMWB Community Homelessness Report Summary 2019 - 2020 & 2020 - 2021
2020 Year 10 Update - Community Plan on Homelessness
2018 Point in Time Homeless Count
2017 Progress Report - Year 7
2016 Point in Time Homeless Count
2016 Progress Report - Year 6
2014 Point in Time Homeless Count
2013 Progress Report - Year 3
2012 Housing Needs Count
2010 Housing Needs Count
2010 10 Year Plan to End Homelessness 2010-2020
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Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo footer logo

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
9909 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 2K4

Phone: 780-743-7000
Toll free: 1-800-973-9663

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