Edmonton's largest homeless camp is still operating but cold weather is taking a toll on those who live there.

The city has ramped up efforts to address the homelessness issue in recent weeks after large encampments were established in the Rossdale and Old Strathcona areas.

The camp will gradually close before Oct. 18 in an effort to have the least possible negative emotional, physical and logistical impact on the campers and organizers.

The city announced the Edmonton Convention Centre will be used as temporary housing for the homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Iveson said said the city-run centre will be operated "as a low-barrier, 24/7 accommodation space, with day programming and meal service space."

Camp representatives said Sunday they were planning to move from Old Strathcona to another location in the city, although would not specify where that would be.

The change in season is already on the radar for those living in an encampment in the Edmonton community of Rossdale.

'The Hope Mission outbreak changes absolutely everything we've negotiated,' said a representative from the Peace Camp in Old Strathcona on Wednesday.

A day after the federal government committed to spending $1 billion to help house people living on the streets, Edmonton's mayor is asking for close to a third of that funding. 

More local social service providers have been invited to visit the Peace Camp this week and organizers have agreed to peacefully vacate Wilbert McIntyre Park by Sept. 28.