Calgary offers cash boost to help homeless keep warm this winter
Calgary city administration will provide $750,000 in one-time funding to the Calgary Homeless Foundation to increase access to emergency shelters this winter, which may include warming shelter spaces.
The unanimous decision was passed by the community development committee Wednesday afternoon.
Many presenters from outreach communities expressed concern over an unclear increase in rough sleepers on Calgary streets.
"We are already starting to see amputations and the weather just started to drop," said Chaz Smith, president of Be the Change YYC Street Outreach, who has experienced homelessness himself.
He presented in council chambers suggesting the city should create warming centres at CTrain stations, city busses, and underground heated parkades.
Smith added not every person sleeping outside can access an overnight shelter for a number of reasons, which may include: security risks, pet prohibitions, and gender-separated-sleeping quarters that force couples apart.
He added that vulnerable people need the ability to warm up outside of overnight shelter stays as the winter presents increased risk.
"Thirty seven per cent of all frostbite discharges from the hospital are people experiencing homelessness and 50 per cent of the time they receive amputations so this is a large amount of valuable human life that is impacted negatively," said Smith.
WINTER WEATHER SUPPORTS FOR ROUGH SLEEPERS
Smith's organization is not a direct recipient of the city funding as it is the Calgary Homeless Foundation that will work with stakeholders in the coming days to determine winter weather supports for rough sleepers. That may include warm-up solutions or expanded access to short stays at existing shelters and outreach groups.
The Drop-In Centre offers compassionate access for non-clients when the temperature hits -10, "unless this individual poses an extreme safety risk to other clients or staff," reads an emailed statement from Executive Director Sandra Clarkson.
It continued, stating that "safety is a priority at the DI, and we continually are examining our processes internally to ensure that we have as few barriers to accessing shelter as possible. We look forward to working with the Calgary Homeless Foundation and other community partners, including outreach groups, to create safe spaces for all that need them through the winter months and work towards longer-term solutions as a community."
'MEET PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AT'
Ward 7 Councillor Terry Wong says helping keep vulnerable people warm is not just an issue for the downtown core, but he wants to see support offered to meet people where they are at.
"We need to get out there and reach out and say, hey, there are shuttle services that are available whether that's offered through the DOAP (Downtown Outreach Addictions Partnership) team and I am hoping that Calgary Transit can offer shelter busses that pick them up, and then are able to bring them to the right facility for the right type of needs that they have," he said
Beyond funding for one winter season, several councillors also pointed out there is more work to do to address the chronic issue of homelessness.
"This is a start to addressing challenges faced by unhoused Calgarians, but is by no means, a radical shift in how and where we offer warming centres. My sincere hope is that we continue to explore opportunities outside of the traditional shelter system," said Ward 11 councillor Kourtney Penner.
Calgary's Mayor's office says it is aware the issue of warming centres, shelter spaces and affordable housing are priorities over the coming weeks.
With files from Mark Villani
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
South Korean sentenced to 14 months in jail for killing 76 cats
South Korean man has been sentenced to 14 months in prison for killing 76 cats in one of the country's most gruesome cases of animal cruelty in recent years.