Home / Health / Nonprofit Seeks Land to Expand Transitional Housing, Reduce Homelessness in Edmonton
Nonprofit Seeks Land to Expand Transitional Housing, Reduce Homelessness in Edmonton
10 Sep
Summary
- Jasper Place Wellness Centre seeks to buy land from City of Edmonton to build 36 units of transitional housing
- Funding from Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation could help pay for capital and operational costs
- Holistic approach of housing, healthcare, and employment support aims to break cycle of homelessness
As of September 10th, 2025, the Jasper Place Wellness Centre (JPWC) is seeking to acquire three parcels of land in the Highlands and Calder neighborhoods of Edmonton from the city. The goal is to develop these sites into 36 units of transitional housing, known as "Healing Houses," to support individuals experiencing homelessness.
According to JPWC co-founder Taylor Soroka, the need for this type of housing is urgent, as people are "losing limbs and dying" on the streets during the winter months. The organization has a proven model for providing comprehensive support, and they believe the sooner they can implement it, the fewer lives will be lost.
The city's administration has recommended that the executive committee approve the sale of the land at below-market value to help JPWC move forward with their plans. Additionally, the organization has secured a commitment from the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation to raise $10 million to expand their Bridge Healing services across Edmonton, which could be used to cover capital and operational costs.
The proposed Healing Houses would each have 12 units, with a bathroom, bed, desk, and kitchenette in each room, as well as shared living spaces and a full kitchen on the main floor. This holistic approach, which includes housing, healthcare, and employment support, has been shown to significantly reduce emergency department utilization among clients, according to a one-year evaluation report.
While the plan has the support of city administration and some councilors, there has been some pushback from residents in the Highlands neighborhood, who feel they were not adequately engaged in the community consultation process. Councilor Tim Cartmell attempted to delay the approval to allow for further engagement, but his motion was ultimately defeated.
The matter will now go to the full city council for debate, with a date for that discussion yet to be determined. If the plan is approved, the 36 units could provide housing and support for up to 72 people, representing a significant step forward in Edmonton's efforts to address homelessness and provide more comprehensive care for vulnerable individuals.
