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ABOUT US

The Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness (ECOHH) was created in 1986. While the majority of the members are local non-governmental associations, both individuals and the private sector are represented in its membership. Representatives from the municipal government also participate at the ECOHH table.

OUR VISION
To have dignified, accessible, affordable, culturally-appropriate, and safe housing, in healthy communities, empowers all people in Edmonton.

OUR MISSION

The Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness is a member-driven coalition working to raise awareness, advocate, and educate for actions and solutions to housing and homelessness issues.

​OUR PRINCIPLES

  • Housing is a human right.

  • Home is more than four walls and a roof–it is housing, supports, and community.

  • Collaboration: Diverse individuals and groups share responsibility, in relationships, to effectively
    address housing and homelessness.

  • Participating together: All voices, especially those most negatively impacted and marginalized, are heard and incorporated when making decisions.

  • Commitment to evidence; openness to creative thinking; transparent and accountable processes

OUR PRIORITIES/GOALS

  1. Increase awareness and knowledge of current and emerging housing and homelessness issues, information about successful responses, and the need to create options based upon new approaches and thinking.

  2. Support and collaborate with actionable local projects geared to addressing housing and homelessness.

  3. Identify and advocate for public policies to achieve ECOHH’s vision.

  4. Create opportunities for collaboration amongst members and with external partners to respond to housing needs.

WHAT WE DO

  • ​Host monthly meetings for members and the public.

  • Sponsor the annual Homeless Memorial.​

  • Engage in public awareness campaigns on housing and community supports.

    • During municipal, provincial, and federal elections, this includes sending out a survey to candidates, disseminating responses to the public, creating housing fact sheets, and organizing public forums.

  • Present tours of positive housing and homelessness models in Edmonton for elected leaders and key government staff to see and learn from.

  • Participate in public policy discussions and provide input in municipal, provincial, and federal initiatives.

  • Create and share resources relating to housing and homelessness.  

  • And much, much more!

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Past accomplishments:​​

  • Provided leadership in the formation of the Edmonton Housing Trust Fund in 1999. This fund now operates as Homeward Trust and is part of a long-term initiative to provide quality affordable housing in Edmonton by investment in projects.

  • Coordinated HomeFest. This was an annual folk music festival concert to draw attention to the need for more affordable housing. HomeFest is no longer an annual event. 

  • Commissioned the Memorial Sculpture and advocated for its location (immediately north of City Hall, 103A to 104 Avenue and 99 to 100 Streets) to be named the ‘Homeless Memorial Plaza’. The sculpture was created by Keith Turnbull and Ritchie Velthius, with the participation of several artists who know the experience of homelessness.

What-we-do

OUR TEAM

  • Chairperson: Nadine Chalifoux
  • Vice-Chairperson: Quinn Strikwerda
  • Treasurer: Reza Khalili
  • Secretary: Nazret Russon
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