The homeless population in Grande Prairie has grown nearly 70 per cent since 2018.
The city’s 2024 Point In Time count says the city has about 387 homeless people.
“This number reflects an 18 per cent increase from the 2022 count, with the most notable rise being in unsheltered homelessness,” said Melissa Tucker, city Social Policy Advisor Housing & Community Social Development.
She said the increase could also be partially attributed to expanded data collection, including mobile outreach numbers and youth services.
The city Point In Time report found a significant increase in unsheltered homelessness in the city – from 42 people in 2022 to 91 in 2024.
“While the lack of affordable housing is a major factor, many individuals also face other complex challenges; addressing these barriers increases the likelihood of long-term housing success,” said Tucker.
City Coun. Wade Pilat noted that the report indicates 43 per cent of the homeless population in the city identifies as indigenous and asked if the report was being shared with the indigenous community.
City Housing & Community Development director Tammy Wentzell said the report will be shared with the Grande Prairie Friendship Centre.
“A large percentage of people have identified of coming through the child welfare system, which kind of correlates with our indigenous population who’ve been in the that system,” she said.
The report says that 52 per cent of respondents experienced homelessness for the first time as a child or before they were 25 years old, while 34 per cent lived in foster care or group homes as a young person.
“I think there are a lot of initiatives we need to look at around prevention,” said Wentzell.
“How are we going to prevent our youth, our people that are in the in our child and family system, not entering into homelessness?
“There are definitely gaps and challenges when we look at the numbers in this report.”
Pilat said he hopes that resources like Sunrise House Youth Emergency Shelter will help reduce those numbers.
“While the point in time count number has increased, it also reflects how our community has strengthened its ability to identify and respond to residents in need,” said Tucker.
“Since 2020, the city has made many high impact investments to support vulnerable residents.”
Investments include the purchase of the Street Outreach Centre building; Cedar Point which offers both supportive and affordable housing units; various land and property transfers for new housing developments; financial contributions to Sunrise House, along with the recent lease agreement for the 42 apartment units in Fletcher house as well as providing operating and grant funding to programs like mobile outreach, youth support services and food security.
The report shows an increase in people in transitional housing: In 2018, there were less than 10 people, while in 2024 there were 70 people.
Coun. Gladys Blackmore noted that the report shows that 33 per cent of the respondents who have been in Grande Prairie for less than three years came to access services and supports.
She said it confirms her belief that they come here to access services and do not return to their home community.
Tucker said the city will launch a “Homeless Individuals and Families Information System” to help coordinate services within the city to respond more quickly and effectively and track trends within the city.
The Point in Time survey was conducted on Oct. 9 and used the national Point In Time Count methodology.
Jesse Boily,
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Town & Country News
