Half of the $20 million the city spent on unsheltered community costs over the past four years came from tax revenues.

The information is in the Unsheltered Community Costs Value for Money report going to council at its next meeting.

The remaining $10 million came from reserve funds, grants and other sources. The report pointed out that 鈥渃learly distinguishing specific expenses for the unsheltered from those associated with social disorder posed a challenge.鈥�

Steps were taken in the analysis to account for possible overlaps, according to the report. 

The taxpayer portion was mostly directed toward community safety and emergency response services. 

Costs associated with unsheltered individuals, nearly $12 million, were mainly directed to shelters and community safety services.

Report data was compiled on operating costs for 2023 and capital costs from 2019 to 2023, and gathered through interviews with city management and staff.