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January 2011 Factsheet

4,060

The minimum number of people and families who, on any given night, are sleeping in shelters,
under bridges, or on the streets (2008).

13,765

The number of Calgary rental households who face serious housing affordability challenges and are considered at greatest risk of homelessness (2010).

In a survey, 14% of Albertans said they had experienced or come close to experiencing homelessness (The Salvation Army Poverty Report, 2010). Given certain circumstances or series of events, homelessness could happen to anyone.

Who are the homeless?

In 1992, there were 447 people living on our streets and in our shelters. In 2008, that number grew to 4,060 (The City of Calgary Homeless Count, 2008).

Homelessness is defined as “those who do not have a permanent residence to which they can return whenever they so choose."

People experiencing or at risk of homelessness are just like you and me. The difference perhaps is circumstance or the fact that their lives have been that much more difficult. Men, women, youth, families, seniors, immigrants, Aboriginals – all kinds of people can experience homelessness. Read more about Calgary's homeless here.

In 2011, the CHF is implementing a Homeless Management Information System throughout the homeless-serving community. This will provide us with more accurate, ongoing information about homeless population numbers and demographics, and how to better address changing needs.

Who is at risk of becoming homeless?

The CHF and the City of Calgary's Social Research Unit identified 23,165 households living in poverty (income less than $20,000) and spending more than 50% of their income on shelter. Of those, 13,765 were renter households, which have a significantly higher risk than homeowners, who can liquefy their assets to prevent homelessness. Other notable characteristics include:

age - 20% under 25 years old, with most (45%) between 25 and 44 years old (working age);
housing repairs - 10% housing was in need of major repairs;
children - 20% had children (0.3 children/household on average);
immigrant - recent immigrant for the primary head of household - 9.4% (1,290); and
Aboriginal - Aboriginal head of household - 7.4% (1,030).

How do people become homeless?

While every person's entry into homelessness is different, there are similar factors that come into play. While the majority are able to end their own homelessness within a short amount of time, others remain stuck, or become "chronically homeless."

Factors that contribute to or protect from homelessness:

Risk Factors	Protective Factors
Childhood Factors: Abuse, parent drug use, single parent, long-term social assistance, foster placement Interpersonal/Family Factors: Divorce, domestic violence, poor social support, young parenting Mental Health/ Addictions: Antisocial, PTSD diagnosis, active addiction (crack/cocaine) Health Problems: Disability, problem pregnancy Housing Transitions: Recent immigration, eviction, couching, dilapidated housing, institutionalization (correctional, psychiatric) Minority status: Aboriginal, refugee, visible minority	Social supports Good interpersonal skills Owning home/ primary tenant High school completion Average cognitive skills

Risk Factors

Protective Factors

Childhood Factors: Abuse, parent drug use, single parent, long-term social assistance, foster placement

Interpersonal/Family Factors: Divorce, domestic violence, poor social support, young parenting

Mental Health/ Addictions: Antisocial, PTSD diagnosis, active addiction (crack/cocaine)

Health Problems: Disability, problem pregnancy

Housing Transitions: Recent immigration, eviction, couching, dilapidated housing, institutionalization (correctional, psychiatric)

Minority status: Aboriginal, refugee, visible minority

Social supports

Good interpersonal skills

Owning home/ primary tenant

High school completion

Average cognitive skills

View our Sources.

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