Calgary day spaces still well-used by vulnerable population despite mild winter

Despite rather mild temperatures for most of the winter, vulnerable Calgarians still made use of day spaces and related resources.

The Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) says during the 2025-26 extreme weather response season, there were 32,324 visits to seasonal day spaces, 3,632 overnight shuttle trips to emergency shelters, 99,680 essential winter items distributed through outreach teams, and 11,768 connections made to housing, mental health, recovery, tax, and legal supports.

“Extreme Weather Response continues to be a vital tool in Calgary’s homelessness response system,” said Bo Masterson, Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement at Calgary Homeless Foundation. “Providing spaces for warmth is not just about weather; it’s about relationships and vital connections to services that support people on a path from homelessness to appropriate housing.”

The extreme weather response, now in its fourth year, is a citywide response that runs from December through March to keep individuals experiencing homelessness safe during periods of extreme weather, while also connecting them to essential services and housing pathways.

Even though Calgary only recorded 18 days below -20 C, days spaces continued to see consistent use, according to the CHF.

“What began as a winter response has shown us the value of welcoming, low-barrier spaces year-round where people can stay safe, meet basic needs, and connect to services,” said Kay Choi, Director of Partnerships, with the City of Calgary.

Agencies who were involved in this year’s EMR included Woods Homes, Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary (AFCC), Distress Centre Calgary at Journey Church, The Mustard Seed, and The Salvation Army, as well as system partners such as the Calgary Drop‑In Centre, Alpha House, Hope Mission, Inn From the Cold, Calgary Police Service, Calgary Fire Department, and Calgary Transit.

The foundation says this season’s wrap-up highlights the growing importance of year-round day spaces.

As part of that evolution, Journey Church, in partnership with Distress Centre Calgary and The Mustard Seed — both seasonal EWR locations — expanded last year to offer year-round day space programming.

In these spaces, individuals can access connections to housing workers, health supports, referrals to additional services, safe, welcoming places to rest, meals, beverages, clothing, and hygiene supplies, and access to showers and laundry at select locations, year round.