Premier Jason Kenney, Robert Weismental, Minister Rajan Sawhney, Bruce Reith, executive director for Hope Mission and Terry Duguid, parliamentary secretary for Western Economic Diversification Canada announce funding to rebuild Hope Mission’s Herb Jamieson Centre.
The new emergency shelter will be more accessible to those with special needs, have improved safety measures and offer better support for people affected by homelessness. The centre will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and have space for 400 people.
Premier Jason Kenney and Terry Duguid, parliamentary secretary for Western Economic Diversification Canada, made the funding announcement.
“For decades the Hope Mission has been a reprieve for the homeless, the poor, and the marginalized. Motivated by a faith that teaches people to ‘love your neighbour,’ Hope Mission has offered a warm bed, a hot meal, and a loving welcome to tens of thousands at a time of need. The mission now desperately needs to replace its aging emergency shelter, which is why our government ran on a platform commitment to partner with private donors to get the job done. I’m excited to announce our contribution to this important project that will help those most in need of shelter.”
“Our government is dedicated to helping those in need, which is why we are proud to invest in the redevelopment of the Herb Jamieson Centre. With capacity to help up to 400 people, the shelter will soon continue to play a vital role in breaking the cycle of homelessness in Edmonton. I congratulate Hope Mission for the crucial role they play in the community.”
“The Herb Jamieson Centre will provide much-needed updated shelter capacity in Edmonton. We are committed to providing supports to these very vulnerable people to ensure that emergent needs are met and long term healing is provided. We support the Herb Jamieson Centre’s mission to help people out of homelessness and into community.”
“Our government is working to strengthen our housing system so it can support Albertans who need it most – now and in the years to come. Investments in projects like Hope Mission’s Herb Jamieson Centre, in partnership with the federal government, will ensure the emergency shelter will be more modern and will have the capacity to provide physical and mental health supports for people in need.”
“The new Herb Jamieson Centre will be a vital resource for everyone who comes through our doors in search of shelter. I am thankful to the Alberta government and to all of our donors for their support. Because of you, this vision will become reality.”
The current site of the Herb Jamieson Centre is now closed. Hope Mission has received a demolition and building permit and construction is expected to start in spring 2020.
Quick facts
- The total estimated cost to rebuild the Herb Jamieson Centre is $16 million.
- A total of $8 million is cost-shared between the federal and provincial governments to enable the new shelter build.
- Hope Mission has received $6.1 million in contributions towards this new shelter build.
- At its close, the Herb Jamieson Centre operated out of an Alberta Infrastructure-owned building constructed in 1954 and an adjacent trailer. The shelter capacity was 285.
- In 2019-20, Community and Social Services provided Hope Mission with $5.5 million to operate 525 spaces in the main Hope Mission emergency homeless shelter and the Herb Jamieson Centre.
- During the Herb Jamieson Centre rebuild, Hope Mission has increased capacity in its main facility to accommodate 540 people.
- Hope Mission is working with the City of Edmonton to obtain permits to use a local church gymnasium as emergency overflow space, if needed.
- The Government of Canada is currently rolling out its National Housing Strategy (NHS), an ambitious 10-year, $55 billion plan that will create 125,000 new housing units and lift 530,000 families out of housing need, as well as repair and renew more than 300,000 housing units, to reduce chronic homelessness by 50 per cent.
- The NHS is built on strong partnerships between federal, provincial and territorial governments, and on continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private sectors, to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians.
Associated links
Alberta Seniors and Housing fosters the development of affordable housing, and supports access to housing options for Albertans most in need. The ministry works with seniors, their families and caregivers, Albertans who require housing supports, and communities and other government partners. A more detailed description of the ministry and its programs and initiatives can be found at alberta.ca/ministry-seniors-housing.aspx.
Learn more about Alberta’s affordable housing programs.
As Canada's authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC’s aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada will have a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, visit cmhc.ca or follow on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.
To find out more about the National Housing Strategy, visit www.placetocallhome.ca.
Editor's Note: This news release was also issued by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation on Feb. 14, 2020.