Youth agencies are meeting with Alberta's Child and Family Services Tuesday to look for solutions to a homeless youth housing crisis in Edmonton.

More young people are being denied services in the city, says Mark Cherrington, a youth worker with the Province's Youth Criminal Defence Office.

Shanoa Waskahat, 18, was found unconscious in the Mill Creek Ravine in April after she was denied entry to the Edmonton Youth Emergency Shelter because she was drunk.

Shanoa Waskahat,18, died in hospital on April 27 after she was found unconscious in the Mill Creek Ravine. (Grace Garden Funeral Chapel)

The teen, who struggled with mental health issues, later died in hospital.

"Why are kids being turned away in droves, why is there nowhere for them to sleep?" asks Cherrington. "Why are programs that are half full saying 'No' to kids and tossing them on the street?

"They've become very selective and discriminating towards marginalized youth," he said. "This thin sliver of population which are most in basic needs of housing, of clothing, of support are being turned away."

Deb Cautley, who runs Youth Empowerment and Support Services, formerly the Youth Emergency Shelter, is calling for counselling and treatment for people with mental health issues.

"I believe we need more mental health services for youth and some of the homeless adults," she said. "We can't do it all on our own."

Katherine Broomfield, executive director with iHuman, believes a new residential program is needed. "Space where a youth could come and spend the night if they've been unable to access the other existing services in the community."

iHuman uses arts mentorship to build trust with about 500 young people who can't or won't get help elsewhere then tries to get them the services they need.

More than a dozen Edmonton-area agencies are attending the one-day meeting.