Data shows sharp increase in number of homelessness in Edmonton [Video]

The number of Edmontonians experiencing homelessness has risen 47 per cent this year, according to data from the city’s main housing agency.

In July, Homeward Trust’s By Name List counted 4,011 people who were either living unhoused or without stable housing. 

That’s up from 2,728 people in January.

Homeward Trust CEO Susan McGee said the data in the count is not definitive, and the rise may be related at least in part to an increase in people seeking services.

“We’ve not seen this kind of kind of month-over-month consistent increase in any year prior,” Homeward Trust CEO Susan McGee said.

“We’re seeing people go from eviction to living rough. That is not something that we would have seen the way we see it today.”

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The By Name List is a collaboration between 65 social agencies in Edmonton. It uses names and birth dates to get as accurate a count as possible.

In July, it listed 2,259 Edmontonains as being provisionally accommodated, and another 1,752 …