$1.9 million in funding approved for local non-profits supporting homelessness initiatives

Grant funding impacted by change to provincial 2025-26 funding model 

On Feb. 19, the Homelessness Initiatives Strategic Committee (HISC) approved and allocated grants totaling $1,906,472 for local non-profit organizations under the 2025-2026 Community Plan on Homelessness (CPH) Grant.

Grant funding is provided by the federal government to support homelessness initiatives in the region.

Funding shortfall result of transition to direct funding from province

On Dec. 20, 2024, the Government of Alberta announced they would be transitioning to a direct funding model through Alberta’s Action Plan on Homelessness, eliminating the role of the RMWB as the body that receives and administers provincial homelessness dollars in the region.

The change comes into effect on April 1. Overall funding available for the region is almost $500,000 less than the 2024-25 grant cycle due to changes to the provincial model.

As a result, there will be changes to existing programs and program capacities. Impacts will include:

• The immediate loss of 30 housing placements on March 31.
• Elimination of homelessness prevention programs.
• Risk of increased unsheltered and chronic homelessness in the community.

“We are deeply disappointed and concerned about the change in the funding model and subsequent impacts,” said Mayor Sandy Bowman. “We have been on target for functional zero homelessness, which would be an incredible achievement. That tells me what we are doing in this area, we are doing right, and changing the approach puts a very vulnerable segment of the population at risk. I am committed to continue advocating for the necessary support for homelessness initiatives in the region.”

CPH grant approvals and allocations

HISC reviewed all eligible applications for the CPH grant based on their alignment with HISC-identified priorities, Council strategic priorities and federal funding criteria.

Below is an overview of the grant funding approved by HISC for 2025-26:

Responding to homelessness in Wood Buffalo

The Municipality works with the Government of Alberta, the Government of Canada, the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, and local social-profit organizations to address homelessness in the region.

The Homelessness Initiatives Strategic Committee (HISC) is a Council Appointed Committee that stewards and advocates for the Community Plan on Homelessness. HISC is involved with strategic planning, funding and identifying best practices. It advocates for funding and policy change, and its members are champions in the community.

Learn more about the municipal response to homelessness at rmwb.ca/homelessness.