In fall 2024, Administration published an updated Emergency Shelter Best Practices Guide to replace the 2021 Standard. The new Guide recognizes that the City of Edmonton does not fund or regulate emergency shelter operations, but can continue to communicate evidence-based learnings with the homeless-serving sector to improve standards, reduce barriers, increase uptake of available space and help more people exit homelessness.
Since 2022, the Government of Alberta has implemented a number of actions that have improved the accessibility and quality of emergency shelter services in Edmonton, including their Shelter Accommodation Expectations (SAE) as part of all grant funding agreements with shelter operators. The SAE includes guidelines relating to health and safety and general shelter operations.
