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Charitable No.
11923-0977-RR0001
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THE NEED

Long -term, safe and affordable housing is necessary for people to begin to cope with other aspects of their lives, from improving their health and/or income to, in turn, improving the life of the community in which they live. Our housing projects are affordable, stable, and secure. People can stay in Society housing for as long as they wish. It's housing they can call home. Housing is the secure base which makes it possible for people to begin improving their income and health.
  
People on lower fixed incomes or those with social, mental, or physical disabilities are hit the hardest, including those who have been institutionalized.  And there is a new phenomenon since the provincial government sharply reduced eligibility for social assistance -- people with no income at all.

In the private market, besides diminished affordable housing stock, low income residents continue to face housing problems such as rent that is too high for a fixed income, landlord discrimination, poor safety and security particularly for the old, for women, and for those who are ill; overcrowded facilities, lack of upkeep and maintenance by landlords, poor health standards and pest infestation.

In the early 1990's, the federal and provincial governments withdrew funding for construction of social housing.  This, combined with sharply decreased vacancies and increased rents, has resulted in a crisis in affordable housing in Edmonton -- particularly in the inner city.

The most extreme face of the affordable housing problem is the increase in homelessness in our city.  Starting in 1999, several homelessness counts have been done in Edmonton.  The count done in October 2002 documented 1,915 homeless in Edmonton -- a 129% increase from the 836 found in the first count in March 1999.

Waiting lists are longer than ever. People applying for EICHS housing wait 2 years or more for a family unit, and three years or more for a bachelor unit. While waiting, a family may crowd into a friend's housing.  It is very difficult to look for work, get training, or look after the health of one's family.

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