After nine months of searching, BeTheChangeYYC has found a new home for its life-saving street-level operations in downtown Calgary.
The grassroots outreach organization announced Wednesday it has secured a space at 840 7th Ave. S.W., positioned along the CTrain line in the heart of the city's core. The move comes after the City of Calgary informed the group last year that it would need to vacate its previously subsidized location.
Since its launch in 2015, BeTheChangeYYC has become a critical lifeline for Calgary's most vulnerable residents. The organization distributes emergency essentials—water, food, clothing, hygiene products, medical supplies, and harm reduction kits—directly to people experiencing homelessness. Equally important, the team connects individuals with access to emergency shelters, housing programs, detoxification services, and mental health support.
Meeting People Where They Are
CEO Chaz Smith emphasized that the new location allows the group to maintain its critical street-level presence without interruption. "Many folks are hungry and thirsty, and we have to meet people where they're at in order to provide those program referrals to housing, detox and mental health services," Smith said.
The transition, however, comes with a significant financial burden. While the City previously subsidized BeTheChangeYYC's rent, the organization now faces approximately $25,000 in annual rent expenses—a substantial increase for a non-profit operating on an annual budget of roughly $140,000. Smith indicated he will absorb this cost through salary adjustments rather than reduce services to the community.
A Crisis Accelerating Faster Than Solutions
The timing of this move underscores an escalating emergency on Calgary's streets. According to the Calgary Homeless Foundation's most recent point-in-time count, the city's homeless population surged to 3,314 individuals in 2025, up from 3,121 the previous year.
Even more alarming, BeTheChangeYYC's response teams have documented an unprecedented spike in overdose interventions in recent months. The organization distributes naloxone kits and harm reduction supplies to prevent shared needle use and reduce overdose deaths—yet provincial government funding cuts last year have depleted these critical resources at the exact moment demand is highest.
"This is a growing crisis," Smith said.
Fundraising Push Ahead
To bridge the widening gap between need and resources, BeTheChangeYYC is intensifying efforts to secure government funding at all levels while ramping up grassroots fundraising and community support initiatives. Smith acknowledged the broader non-profit sector is under unprecedented pressure, with inflation driving up the cost of supplies the organization distributes without corresponding increases in funding.
The organization has not yet set a move-in date pending renovation work at the new location.
For Calgarians interested in supporting this critical community work, residents can engage through local channels. Community members interested in discussing homelessness solutions and support initiatives can connect via Calgary Forums, where local issues and charitable efforts are regularly discussed.
This article is based on reporting from CBC Calgary.