Calgary shelters see surge in demand, experiencing overcapacity

It’s becoming harder for the most vulnerable to escape the cold, and as winter weather settles in, local shelters are turning to Calgarians for help.

All 410 beds are full at both Calgary Mustard Seed locations, and Dave Conrad with the shelter says that has become the norm.

He says its large shelter with a capacity of 370 individuals is full, and its women’s shelter, which can hold 40 individuals, is also full.

“There used to be seasons where there was an ebb and flow for numbers at the shelter and access to services and things like that,” he said.

“But this year, it has been constantly high throughout the summer months, heading into the winter, even going back as far as last spring, we’ve seen very high numbers at all our programs.”

Conrad says with so many Calgarians facing crisis, it is becoming harder to keep up with the demand.

“We’re seeing a lot of new people moving into Alberta, so that creates a crunch in the housing market, seeing a lot of mental health and addictions,” he said.

“When you see the discrepancy between minimum wage and living wage, you begin to see that picture of how hard it is for individuals in our city to make ends meet.”

He says they’re forced to redirect unhoused Calgarians to other shelters regularly.

According to a report from Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC) and the Alberta Living Wage Network (ALWN), Calgary has one of the highest living wages in the province, topped only by Jasper at $31.40, and Barrhead at $24.50.

The latest Quality of Life report from the Calgary Foundation says that more than a quarter of Calgarians are stressed about their housing situation, with 80 per cent of renters facing a rent increase this year, and over half of Calgarians working full time say they can’t find a suitable place to live.

Heather Morley, the CEO of Inn From The Cold, says their services for homeless families have seen a significant increase in demand, from 400-500 families a year to 1,400 in 2023. She says this equates to 4,500 parents and children.

While the facility offers support and critical services for families, the cost of living and the affordability crisis are just a few factors impacting families.

“What we’ve been seeing the last couple of years more and more is that as housing has become a crisis as affordability pressures have mounted, so many families, so many of us are close to the brink,” she said Saturday.

“Sometimes all it takes is a change in job, a bad relationship, a sudden and unexpected change in your rent, your financial situation, and all of a sudden, families will find themselves with no place to go.”

Morley says many people don’t think of families and children when it comes to homelessness.

It’s why she says family homelessness is often called “hidden homelessness,” because the parents will do anything to keep their children off the street, and will seek support and ask for help.

“They’re doing everything that they can to piece it together, to keep some sense of stability and safety for their children. But at the end of the day … the situation out there keeps getting tougher and tougher,” she said.

Inn From the Cold relies on community donations, as over half of its annual budget comes from these contributions. It also benefits from corporate support, including volunteer work and donations.

While the organization aims to support 20 families a night, it aims to reach its holiday fundraising goal of $1 million to meet their needs.

Conrad also says the Mustard Seed is running low on warm winter clothing, blankets, and hygiene products. Volunteers are also needed as part of its Angels of Hope program, which runs throughout December.

More information on donating to the Mustard Seed and Inn From the Cold can be found on their websites.

With files from Jehn Benoit and Lauryn Heintz