Calgary's homeless population drops, according to new count
A new count of Calgary's homeless population indicates a drop in the number of people living on the streets – the lowest it's been since 2016.
The point-in-time (PiT) tabulation, conducted by the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF), took place on Sept. 27, 2022, and found 2,782 individuals were homeless.
Officials with the organization say the PiT gives "a clearer understanding" of the population in Calgary.
"It allowed outreach teams with whom CHF partners to speak directly to those experiencing homelessness to continue to develop relationships, build trust and identify emerging community issues from their point of view," said president Patricia Jones in a statement.
In 2018, the last time the PiT was conducted, 2,911 people were experiencing homelessness. Two years earlier, that figure was 3,222.
The most recent survey also found 71 per cent of Calgary's homeless population is sheltered, which means they regularly use emergency shelters, transitional housing and other programs.
The remainder are considered "unsheltered" – living on the streets, in encampments, in hospital, in correctional facilities, with friends or in vehicles.
The PiT also found 30.1 per cent of Calgary's homeless are Indigenous and the largest homeless demographic is those between the age of 25 and 64.
"The CHF recognizes that inflation and a lack of affordable housing significantly impact people experiencing homelessness in our city," it said in a release.
"We also recognize that we need to continue to work alongside Indigenous organizations and communities who provide culturally appropriate facilities and services."
Full details of the CHF's PiT can be found online.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William and Kate release photo of daughter Charlotte to mark ninth birthday
Prince William and his wife Kate released a picture of their daughter Charlotte to mark the princess's ninth birthday on Thursday.
Ontario man loses $1,500 applying for Nexus cards on social media
The trusted traveller program between Canada and the United States is extremely popular and almost two million Canadians have a Nexus card.
NEW Facial reconstruction reveals what a 40-something Neanderthal woman may have looked like
Scientists studying a Neanderthal woman's remains have painstakingly pieced together her skull from 200 bone fragments to understand what she may have looked like.
Campus protests: Israeli academics say their universities are 'best chance' for peace
One of the demands of pro-Palestinian activists who have set up protest encampments on university campuses in Canada and the United States is a severing of ties with Israeli universities.
Concerns about Plexiglas prompt inspections at some Loblaws locations in Ottawa
Inspections are underway at more than one Loblaws location in Ottawa after complaints were filed about tall Plexiglas barriers.
Weight-loss drug Wegovy available in Canada starting May 6
The makers of Ozempic say their weight-loss drug Wegovy will be available to patients in Canada starting Monday.
Five human skeletons, missing hands and feet, found outside house of Nazi leader Hermann Goring
Archeologists have unearthed the skeletons of five people, missing their hands and feet, at a former Nazi military base in Poland.
This Canadian restaurant just lowered its prices. Here's how it did it
A Canadian restaurant lowered its prices this week, and though news of price tags dropping rather than climbing sounds unusual, the business strategy in this case is not, according to experts in the field.
NEW Companies letting customers opt out of Mother's Day ads
In an effort to balance the profitability of Mother's Day with the pain it causes some people, some brands are offering customers the choice to opt out of Mother's Day email advertising.