Problem Property Initiative News

Fall 2023

Issue #1

Welcome to our newsletter

Greetings from Edmonton's Problem Property Initiative (PPI). In 2022, City Council approved funding to implement the long-term strategy to address problem properties. This newsletter highlights milestones that have been reached since then. Future newsletters will continue to keep you informed of how the City of Edmonton and its partners are addressing problem properties.

Thanks so much for reading.

Long-term funding creates more solutions to problem property issues

Long-term funding has expanded the PPI’s resources and created impactful solutions to the issues related to problem properties. At a glance, these include:

A Centralized Office to administer the initiative
Four coordinated and complementary specialty teams
Increased enforcement and escalating measures to gain compliance and deter repeat offences
A data-driven focus on neighbourhoods most affected by problem properties
An increase in Municipal Enforcement Officers dedicated to problem property files
A team of Fire Safety Officers to hold property owners accountable for securing vacant properties at their own expense
A Community Safety Liaison and a Homeless Prevention Coordinator to connect vulnerable tenants to resources
A committee to streamline the demolition of derelict buildings
A tax subclass to increase taxes at derelict residential properties
And improved communication and relationship building with stakeholders affected by problem properties

New teams increase inspections and enforcement actions

Different problem property issues require different levels of inspections and enforcement. Two new PPI teams are taking stronger, more proactive measures to solve the issues and deter repeat offences.

The Community Property Safety Team (CPST) is made up of Fire Safety Officers who reduce fire risk by working to ensure vacant properties are secured at the landowner’s expense. CPST was launched by Edmonton Fire Rescue Services in April 2022. Between that time and September 2023, the team inspected 593 properties that were known or suspected to be unsecured vacant properties (UVPs), issued 295 enforcement orders, and secured 320 UVPs.

The Problem Properties Team (PPT) is made up of Municipal Enforcement Officers dedicated primarily to the neighbourhoods most affected by problem properties. These officers identify and respond to problem properties and derelict buildings before they escalate. They can issue enforcement orders related to a variety of nuisance conditions. In August 2022, PPT increased in size from one officer to four. Between that time and September 2023, the team conducted approximately 2300 inspections and issued 862 enforcement orders.

These new teams are in addition to the Residential Inspection Safety Compliance Team (RISC), operational since 2018. RISC is a multi-agency team that provides a coordinated approach to residential living situations involving vulnerable individuals, families and places.

To learn more about the PPI’s teams and how to report a problem property, visit edmonton.ca/problemproperties.

Examples of properties inspected by PPI teams

Problem property clean-ups make Edmonton communities safer

The PPI’s impact can be seen in the increased clean up of unsightly and unsafe lots in neighbourhoods across the city.

When problem properties show signs of serious neglect or nuisance conditions that are harmful to the surrounding area, the City can order property owners to clean them up. If an owner does not comply, the PPI can undertake the clean up and hold the owner accountable for the costs.

This process has been very noticeable in McCauley, where several properties that were destroyed by fire have been cleared of debris and hazardous waste by the Problem Properties Team.

These clean-ups take several days to complete, with multiple agencies and contractors working together to remove an average of 120,000 pounds of debris from each property and backfill them with clean dirt.

Before and after images of clean ups completed in McCauley

Before and after images of demolitions coordinated by the Problem Properties Team in Strathcona (top), Boyle Street (middle), and Alberta Avenue (bottom)

Demolitions eliminate unsafe vacant buildings

PPI partners bring different regulations and enforcement approaches to the initiative. This helps create multiple pathways to demolish unsafe, vacant buildings.

Enforcement orders issued by PPI teams are making it increasingly costly for owners to neglect their problem properties. As a result, many unsafe, vacant properties are being demolished by their owners.

Where owners continue to neglect their properties, escalating measures are being implemented. The Problem Properties Team is now coordinating the demolition of smaller structures, such as garages that are in extreme states of disrepair. And another PPI team - The Demolition Assessment and Response Committee (DARC) is combining the resources of four City areas to speed up the demolition of larger, unsafe structures.

In all cases where the PPI’s teams facilitate the demolition of unsafe buildings, the costs incurred by the City are transferred to the property owner.

All vacant buildings, including those in the process towards demolition, are monitored to ensure that they are secure and inaccessible to the public. When needed, fencing and 24-hour security can be ordered at the property owner’s expense.

New tax subclass increases taxes at derelict residential properties

On October 5, 2023, City Council approved a new tax subclass for derelict residential properties in mature areas. Edmonton is the first city in Canada to make a subclass specifically for derelict properties as part of a larger effort to combat problem properties and encourage community vibrancy.

Starting in 2024, the new derelict tax subclass can be applied to residential properties in mature neighbourhoods that show serious signs of neglect, are dilapidated, are falling into significant disrepair or are unlivable. The subclass will allow the City to charge a higher tax rate to owners of such properties.

“The derelict tax subclass is a new tool in the City’s toolbox for addressing the harmful impact that derelict and problem residential properties can have,” said Cate Watt, Branch Manager, Assessment and Taxation. “Managing derelict properties often comes with additional costs to the City and a higher tax rate will help to cover those costs while encouraging property owners to clean up derelict houses. We hope this will play a role in improving the vibrancy of mature neighbourhoods in the long run.”

To learn more, visit Derelict Residential Tax Subclass

Communication builds awareness and strengthens relationships

The PPI is committed to building awareness of its work and strengthening relationships with community members affected by problem properties. Since January 2023, the initiative has:

Communicated with 61 stakeholder groups
Engaged 4,500 individuals from over 220 neighbourhoods
Participated in 26 stakeholder meetings and neighbourhood events
Facilitated 3 Meet & Greets with community members from 26 neighbourhoods
Provided 16 presentations
Delivered 6 newsletters
Published 16 news articles or blogs
Activated 20 social media posts, with over 75,000 views
And received 12,500 web page visits

To learn more about the PPI’s Neighbourhood Meet & Greets and public opinion research conducted about problem properties, please see this What We Heard report.

Resources and contacts

To learn more about the Problem Property Initiative visit edmonton.ca/problemproperties.
To report a problem property call 311, contact 311 online, or use the confidential reporting form at edmonton.ca/problemproperties.
To report an unsecured vacant property call 311 or email communitypropertysafetyteam@edmonton.ca.
For general inquiries or to engage directly with the Problem Property Initiative email problemproperties@edmonton.ca.