InterFaith Housing Initiative

In May of 2010 a gathering of faith community members was held to explore the contributions that faith communities could make in realizing the goal of ending homelessness in Edmonton, in particular, the role faith communities could play in welcoming homeless persons into local communities and serving as advocates. It is understood that faith communities are already making significant contributions to ending homelessness and have a desire to do much more. There were voices of support for a faith leaders’ pastoral statement which as created and signed by 23 leaders of Edmonton’s faith organizations (Interfaith Statement on Homelessness & Affordable Housing) which endorsed Edmonton’s “10 Year Plan To End Homelessness” and served as a Call to Action for Edmonton’s religious and spiritual communities to work together to address the issues of homelessness and need for affordable housing in our community. Since that initial meeting members of Edmonton’s religious and spiritual communities have been meeting each quarter to our Interfaith Statement into action.