For the fourth winter in a row, 20 Calgary organizations are coming together to protect the city’s homeless population from the dangers of extreme cold and connect them to essential services.
The Extreme Weather Response provides seasonal day spaces, overnight transportation to emergency shelters, and critical winter supplies.
Last year, the program responded to 20 days where the temperature was below -20 C, including three days below -28 C.
During that time, the response team facilitated 37,180 visits to seasonal day spaces, 2,227 overnight shuttle transports to emergency shelters, and distribution of 102,440 essential items, including hand warmers and emergency blankets.
“Thousands of times last winter, Calgarians relied on seasonal day spaces, shuttles to emergency shelters, and outreach teams to make it through the cold,” said Bo Masterson, vice president, stakeholder engagement at the Calgary Homeless Foundation. “Heading into our fourth year, we’re confident in the strategic partnerships and coordination that make this program a vital part of the homeless serving sector. The lessons we’ve learned over the last three years mean we’re better equipped for an impactful season.”
Masterson says the response fills a critical gap for those experiencing homelessness while they wait for permanent housing.
“All orders of government are committed to creating more housing, but it takes time,” she added. “While permanent housing capacity increases, programs like Extreme Weather Response remain an essential piece.”
The 2023 Calgary Housing Needs assessment revealed 85,000 households meet the criteria for housing need, which is defined as spending 30 per cent or more of pre-tax income on housing while earning less than 65 per cent of Calgary’s median household income.
To address housing need, the city developed the Home is Here housing strategy, which is working to create 3,000 new non-market housing units every year.
There are currently 2,500 people on Calgary’s supportive housing wait list, according to the foundation.
Many of the people currently using day spaces are actively working on their housing journey, and the majority spend their nights in shelter.
“Seasonal day spaces also play a vital role in building trust,” said Masterson. “Seasonal day spaces are not an end destination, but a trauma-informed, low-barrier entry point where people can rest, connect with services, and begin or continue their housing journey. It often takes multiple engagements with a service before someone feels ready to move forward. Programming for seasonal day spaces are focused to meet people where they are and offer consistent, compassionate support.”
This year’s program will run from Dec. 1 to March 31.
Agencies involved include Alpha House, The Mustard Seed, Aboriginal Friendship Centre of Calgary, The Salvation Army, Calgary Drop-In Centre, Woods Homes, Distress Centre Calgary, and Journey Church.
More information on the program can be found at calgaryhomeless.com