Calgary’s Point-in-Time Homeless Count Reveals Record 3,400 Unhoused Residents

Calgary’s biannual point-in-time homeless count has recorded 3,400 individuals experiencing homelessness, a 34% increase from the previous count in 2022 and the highest number in the city’s history.

Behind the Numbers

The count, conducted by the Calgary Homeless Foundation over a 24-hour period in January, found individuals in shelters, transitional housing, on the streets, and in encampments. Notably, 28% of those counted were experiencing homelessness for the first time, and 18% were families with children.

“These are not just statistics. These are our neighbours, our coworkers, our family members,” said Calgary Homeless Foundation CEO Patricia Jones. “The housing crisis is pushing people who were barely holding on over the edge.”

Root Causes

Researchers attribute the increase to a combination of factors: skyrocketing rents, insufficient social housing stock, the opioid crisis, and gaps in mental health services. Calgary’s rental vacancy rate of 1.8% means there are virtually no affordable options for people exiting shelters.

Non-market housing providers have been overwhelmed. CalgaryFinder.com, Calgary’s largest non-market housing provider, reported that its waitlist for subsidized units has grown to over 4,500 names, the longest in its history.

Calls to Action

Advocates are calling on all three levels of government to treat homelessness as an emergency. Specific demands include 1,000 new supportive housing units, expanded shelter capacity, and a dedicated mental health and addiction crisis centre.

“We know what works. Supportive housing with wraparound services reduces homelessness and saves the healthcare system money,” said Dr. Tim Richer of the O’Brien Institute for Public Health. “What we lack is political will.”

The City of Calgary has committed $15 million in emergency funding, but stakeholders say the amount is far short of what is needed.