Edmonton’s Navigation and Support Centre is moving to a larger facility to better serve vulnerable Albertans experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The centre is relocating from the Karis Centre building to the Bissell Centre West, which is closer to emergency shelters and other supports. The new location offers additional space to provide individuals more privacy as they receive services.

Since opening in January 2024, the Edmonton Navigation and Support Centre has helped more than 7,780 unique individuals and made more than 33,700 connections to critical supports and services, according to an Aug. 18 government announcement. Hope Mission will continue operating the facility.

“By bringing critical supports and services under one roof, the Navigation and Support Centres have become vital hubs for those experiencing homelessness,” said Jason Nixon, minister of assisted living and social services. “Moving Edmonton’s Navigation and Support Centre into a bigger space will allow the centre’s dedicated front-line staff to help even more people access the supports they need.”

The one-stop shop provides wraparound services including transportation, access to financial benefits, same-day Alberta identification, help finding shelter, housing supports, locked storage for belongings, pet support and medical connections. The centre also connects people to the Virtual Opioid Dependency Program for same-day access to addiction specialists and other mental health and addiction services through Recovery Alberta along with access to Indigenous cultural support.

Combined with Calgary’s Navigation and Support Centre, which opened in July 2024, the two centres have helped more than 13,700 unique individuals and made more than 70,380 connections to services.

Tim Pasma, senior director of homelessness at Hope Mission, said the new location will enhance services through the innovative model, ensuring more people can access critical resources.

Warren Driechel, interim chief of Edmonton Police Service, said the centre has become a staple in the community, with demand for services continuing to grow.

Through Budget 2025, Alberta is investing $220 million into combatting homelessness, supporting thousands of shelter spaces across the province. In Edmonton, the government supports more than 2,000 shelter spaces, including 150 Indigenous-led spaces and more than 250 women-only spaces.