Shelter for Seniors: Alberta promises major investments

Seniors are sadly not immune to the housing crisis in Calgary. And many who are part of the homeless population struggle with poverty and adequate resources to cover the rent or pay their mortgage.

The provincial government says major investments are being made into sustainable solutions, but until then, many elderly Calgarians are frantic to find a place.

This is the fourth in a five-part series 660 NewsRadio five-part series, ‘Shelter for Seniors Facing Homelessness; Stories from Calgary,’ where reporter Nadia Moharib explores how the cost-of-living crisis is forcing more elderly Calgarians to live on the cusp of homelessness.

• Part 1: Less than 2% of hundreds of seniors looking for housing in the first half of 2024 find it
• Part 2: Calgary senior shares her ordeal of surviving a year without a home
• Part 3: Doing more to keep people in homes will prevent them from ending up on the street

Province says major investments being made into sustainable solutions for elderly Calgarians

Diane Inklin saw the seniors camping in a green space near her northwest home. 

“It was plus 30 out, and my husband looked at me and said ‘I can’t believe people have to live in a park. And look, she’s in a wheelchair.’”

She brought the couple ice water and compassion, learning a rent hike sent them packing. They had nowhere to go within their limited budget.

Inklin shared their plight with others in her community. Some offered support. Others complained their make-shift shelter was an eyesore that ought to be taken down.

“People threw rocks at them, they spit on them, they called them names, ‘useless pieces of crap,’” she recalls. “Like, are you kidding me?”

According to the Calgary Homeless Foundation, ‘homelessness is not limited to living on the streets. It can include those sleeping in shelters, couch surfing or having a home but being at risk of losing it. The foundation states “every person experiencing homelessness is vulnerable and lacks income and supports to stay housed.”

Jason Nixon, Alberta’s Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services says support is on the way. 

“This year we have already announced another $840 million in capital for this type of housing 

So the investments the Alberta taxpayer is making in this area is significant,” he says. 

That said we need lots more units to come on line over the next several years. We are working to create just over 80,000 more affordable housing units in the province between now and 2030.

And, he says seniors are a priority.

Inklin fears many seniors facing a panicked scramble to find a home are too proud to reach out or complain. And those without family or friends to rely on, will continue to fall through the cracks of a safety net that is flimsy at best.

If you have any feedback on this series please email nadia.moharib@rci.rogers.com.