Since January 2023, the City of Edmonton’s Problem Property Initiative (PPI) has written regularly in Boyle McCauley News about its work cleaning up properties, securing or demolishing unsafe buildings, and upholding housing standards across the city. In this issue, the PPI is providing information specifically about its work in your neighbourhoods of Boyle Street and McCauley.

The PPI has a team of Municipal Enforcement Officers that address the external conditions at seriously neglected private properties, some of which present public safety hazards. While working city-wide, the team has a proactive, data-driven focus on the most affected neighbourhoods. Since January 2023, the team has inspected 62 properties in Boyle Street and McCauley.

The team has overseen the removal of hundreds of thousands of kilograms of debris and hazardous materials from the two neighbourhoods, at the property owner’s expense. Furthermore, tickets and enforcement orders issued by the team are making it increasingly costly for owners to neglect their properties. Following interventions by the team, 35% of the inspected properties have been demolished by their owners or have submitted applications for demolition permits. Several are undergoing redevelopment.

The PPI also has a team of Fire Prevention Officers that secure - and hold property owners accountable for - unsecured vacant buildings that pose a fire risk to the surrounding community. Since April 2022, the team has inspected 79 properties in Boyle Street and McCauley. 

Of the properties inspected, approximately 75% were confirmed to be vacant and unsecured. These properties have all been subject to securement measures, ranging from board-ups to fencing to 24/7 security patrols, all at the property owner’s expense. Approximately 40% of the properties inspected have since been demolished, including several that have been redeveloped. The team’s work is contributing to a significant decrease in structure fires in mature neighbourhoods.

The PPI also has a multi-agency team that provides a wraparound approach to complex residential living situations involving vulnerable individuals, families and places. Since January 2023, the team has inspected 37 properties in Boyle Street and McCauley. 

Of the properties inspected, 92% have been brought into compliance with minimum housing standards. In the process, the team has connected vulnerable tenants to services, helped to rehouse individuals from properties that are no longer liveable, and reduced the risk these properties present to the surrounding community.

Finally, a tax subclass allows the City to to triple the tax rate for owners of residential properties that show serious signs of neglect, are dilapidated, are falling into significant disrepair, or are unlivable. The subclass is encouraging owners to improve or demolish their properties, while also generating revenue to help offset the costs of otherwise dealing with derelict properties. Since January 2024, 27 properties in Boyle Street and McCauley have been included in the subclass. Five of these properties have been repaired or demolished.

To learn more about the Problem Property Initiative or sign up for the PPI newsletter, visit edmonton.ca/ProblemProperties. To report a problem property, call 311, visit 311 online, or use the confidential reporting form at edmonton.ca/ProblemProperties. To report an unsecured vacant property email communitypropertysafetyteam@edmonton.ca or call 311.

Information provided by the City of Edmonton.