EdmontonCoalitiononHousingandHomelessness

The Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness (ECOHH) reports that the tally of 421 homeless deaths more than doubles the total of 2022. The ECOHH numbers don't jive with data from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) who reported 302 recorded deaths in 2023, up from the 200 deaths.OCME's mandate is very specific and Jim Gurnett with ECOHH says numbers provided by OCME don’t include the number of people who died directly or indirectly as a result of homelessness.

Its not surprising that there is a discrepancy between the numbers reported by ECOHH and those of OCME.Works more closely and is probably more in tune with what's happening on the street while OCME is probably more clinical and not so tuned into the street. Regardless of their differences the numbers of people dying is way too high.

The plans of Edmonton Police Service and the City of Edmonton to clear 8 homeless camps next week has been put on hold until Monday when the the matter is brought before the court. Sam Mason, president of the Coalition for Justice and Human Rights is concerned that there is not adequate housing for al the people who will be displaced. According to the Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness there are more than 3,100 homeless in the city with 1,126 shelter spaces available.