Friends,

As we transition from fall to winter and the temperatures are dropping, I would like to again raise an issue that impacts our communities of Boyle Street and McCauley so acutely: housing. It’s an issue not just critically important to me as your local MLA, but also as the Official Opposition Shadow Minister for Housing.

At the time of writing this, there are nearly 4,000 Edmontonians without housing. When I was elected as an MLA in 2019, and the UCP formed government, that number was 1,200. This is a staggering threefold increase. Tragically, we’ve also seen record numbers of deaths and amputations of unhoused community members. 

We say that housing is a fundamental human right, and if we truly believe this statement, we should be alarmed at the breadth of failure on this issue. 

While I cannot direct government policy as an opposition MLA, my commitment to you is that I won’t stop fighting for evidence-based solutions. 

Solutions such as increased funding for permanent supportive housing. Right here in our community, services like Ambrose Place from Niginan Housing provide Indigenous-led, culturally safe, supportive housing that has been successful in achieving permanency for our unhoused neighbours. Research shows that programming like this dramatically reduces chronic homelessness, hospital admissions, and addiction and mental health related emergencies.

Solutions such as investment in critical health care and harm reduction services that help people remain housed and stop the cycle of poverty. Programs like Pregnancy Pathways offered by Radius Health, which provides support to pregnant women experiencing homelessness and have drastically reduced the number of infants being taken into care. 

Solutions such as restrictions on rent increases and better renter protections to help prevent houselessness from occurring. In 2023, I proposed Bill 205, which would have mandated temporary rent caps to give breathing room to renters who’d experienced skyrocketing rent increases – some as high as 50, 60, even 80%! Not only did the UCP refuse to support my bill, they also would not consider other solutions, like increasing the number of rent subsidies or making the targeted investments needed to build and maintain affordable housing. 

I remain unwavering in my commitment to keep fighting for better. And I remain resolute because amidst the housing crisis and dire statistics, I understand these aren’t just numbers. These are humans - they are neighbours, family, friends, and they deserve dignity, safety, and respect just like any other Albertan. We know the solutions; we just need a government with a will to implement them. 

As always, I want to hear from you. Please reach out anytime.

Take good care of yourselves and each other.

Janis Irwin, MLA for Edmonton-Highlands-Norwood
Email: Edmonton.HighlandsNorwood@assembly.ab.ca
Phone: 780-414-0682