HomeFest provides five hours of great folk and roots music on the afternoon of November 7 - but it's much more than an afternoon of good entertainment.

Early in 2009 there were some headlines about housing as both the City of Edmonton and the Province of Alberta released plans to "end homelessness" and the City followed up with the creation of a new office to oversee activity. But the critical funding commitments of public dollars to act have been scant. There might not have been the sensational media coverage seen during 2007's Tent City but hundreds of people live without health, safety, or dignity under makeshift shelters in nearly every back lane in the urban core. Families crowd into shabby basement suites with each other, children sleeping on floors and unable to have a decent meal. Thousands of people are spending most of their monthly income to keep a roof over their heads as more low-income housing disappears than is being constructed.

The damage to every part of a person's life that comes from not having a place to call home is huge and the costs to the whole community are massive both in dollars and in social instability.

HomeFest began in 2003 to educate and mobilize Edmontonians to get involved in demanding the human right to housing for every person, but the biennial counts of homeless people indicate the problem has continued to grow. The lack of housing security that afflicts so many is not something that will be solved by charity. Years of governments failing to invest in social housing have created the crisis and only when people demand a commitment to build housing will it be solved.

And so, in 2010 HomeFest is still needed. The HomeFest committee urges you to enjoy the music at the event but to take time after to contact your elected representatives, federal and provincial, and tell them you want action to ensure "Homes for All," now.

Let them know continued talk and study and planning is not adequate. We know what is needed. When governments were spending for social housing, homelessness was almost unknown. Since the massive cuts of the mid-90s a catastrophe has overwhelmed thousands of families in Edmonton. The only way to end homelessness is to ensure there is appropriate housing available for people. The evidence says when people have appropriate secure housing they stay housed and move forward more successfully with the rest of their lives, moving on to independence and health.

HomeFest will deliver hours of music from some of Edmonton's best and favourite folk and roots musicians. It will provide good current information about the real situation - the things that are mostly never covered by the media. But it's much more than good entertainment - it's your invitation to help create a more just community.

Money raised by HomeFest is donated to agencies that directly address housing needs in Edmonton.

The concert is supported by sponsors, the work of 100 volunteers, and many musicians and other members of the roots music community.

Four performance areas provide a rich menu of music for five wonderful hours. The line-up is carefully chosen to reflect the range of roots music: everyone leaves satisfied. The perfomers include well-known favourites and new talent just getting started.

Children under the age of 12 get into HomeFest for free, offering a perfect day for family fun. The family program area provides an entertaining area for activities, music and clowns. There is also an area set aside for those who want to learn more where brief presntations take place all afternoon by experts of various issues and aspects of housing security and homelessness.

Delicious food (chili, buns, and sandwiches, among other items), ingredients provided by Hope Mission and prepared by Urban Manor, combine with the music, art, and (most importantly) great people to create an environment that attracts more fans every year.

Programs that directly address homelessness issues and needs receive grants from the profits made each year. As the event draws larger crowds and greater sponsorship, more agencies are able to benefit.

2008:

• Canadian Mental Health Association
• Jasper Place Health and Wellness Centre
• John Howard Society

2007:

• John Howard Society for their transitional housing program
• Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers for a youth camp project
• Operation Friendship to assist clients with moving expenses and in obtaining identification

2006:

• Boyle Street Community Services for their new outreach program for the homeless in the river valley
• Canadian Mental Health Association, Edmonton Region, for their Moving Expense Program.

2005:

• Terra Association to help single moms move and acquire household supplies so that they don't become homeless
• Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers to provide recreational opportunities for children in supported housing for refugees.

2004:

• Edmonton Housing Trust Fund
• Women's Advancement Trust to assist women made homeless by AIDS in Tanzania

2003:

• Winter Emergency Fund

For more information, please contact Jim Gurnett: 587-881-1940