All Hands on Deck – Let’s Make Housing for All a Reality

National Housing Day is a day for raising awareness, advocating for impactful housing solutions, and taking actionable steps toward a future where every individual has access to safe and stable housing. National Housing Day was declared a ‘national day’ in the year 2000 after homelessness was recognized as a national disaster two years prior. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, CMHC, says “an all hands-on deck approach isn’t just an option— it’s essential for tackling the housing and homelessness crisis”. This sentiment rings true for all non-profits and affordable housing providers particularly in recent years; the government, financial organizations, developers, and communities all need to buy in and work together if we’re going to be serious about providing housing for all.

A secondary, but incredibly important, part of National Housing Day is recognizing the thousands of individuals who have been successfully housed in supportive housing programs across the city, province, and country – not just with Alpha House’s programs but with dozens of other homeless-serving agencies. It’s a tough transition to go from homelessness to housing when you may have been chronically homeless for the past 5 or 10 years. It demands a lot of work and often requires tough changes in approaches to everyday life, so it matters to us to celebrate the individuals who have pushed through so much hardship to be where they are today.

So, let’s talk housing, Calgary. In today’s blog post, we are going to be taking a look at key issues impacting the housing crisis in Calgary.

 

City of Calgary – Housing Needs Assessment 2023
https://www.calgary.ca/communities/housing-in-calgary/housing-needs-assessment.html

The Housing Needs Assessment is a Research Report, published by the City of Calgary, with a goal of giving us a better understanding of the need for affordable housing in Calgary. A household is classified as “in need of affordable housing” when it earns less than 65% of Calgary’s median and spends at least 30% of their income on housing costs. The key findings from this report highlight a number of alarming statistics:

• The annual income required to adequately afford market rent in 2023 is $84,000, a significant increase from the $67,000 figure for 2022
• The median cost of buying a detached home has increased by 37% over the last 3 years (2020-2023)
• The average rent between 2020 and 2023 has increased by around 40%
• 1 in 5 households cannot afford their housing

These are obviously concerning stats so… why is it so bad?

There are many issues and compounding factors that play into the housing crisis in Calgary. Becoming educated on some of the issues and challenges with today’s housing market is among the first steps to understanding what we need to be fighting for— we can’t fight for affordable housing for all if we don’t know what’s preventing this future utopia. Some key pieces of information to start:

• Rent Caps: In Alberta, the average rent between 2020 and 2023 has increased by around 40%. In contrast, New Brunswick very recently passed a rent cap bill, effective Feb 2025, which limits rent increases to 3% per year. If this same bill or a similar rent cap bill had been in place in Alberta during that same time period, our 40% figure would be 9%, leaving Albertans with much more flexibility in their finances and with a much smaller percentage of income directed towards housing costs.
  • https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/rent-cap-legislation-1.7388255
• Financialized Landlords (i.e. corporate entities that manage rental properties primarily for profit): There are currently no barriers to corporate entities owning rental properties for-profit including properties earmarked for ‘affordable housing’ indexation Conversely, non-profit, co-op, land trust organizations, and tenants who purchase and own at-risk buildings when they come on the market would provide more protections to ensure affordable housing is true in practice not just in name. The negative impact of financialized landlords can be seen in Martine August’s research, which shows these groups purchased 90% of all rental stock that came up for sale in the Toronto Market in 2020.
  • https://www.cbc.ca/news/financialized-landlord-higher-rents-canada-1.7307015
• Fixed-Term Leases: Fixed term leases allow financialized landlords to raise the rent at their discretion (with no rent caps in place) at the end of each term. Month-to-month or shorter-term leases give renters the power to choose where they want to stay, and are able to leave more quickly if their circumstances change abruptly or if they aren’t satisfied with their living arrangements. When you give renters the power to dictate the parameters of their living situations, this encourages landlords to be more engaged with the state of their properties
• Calgary’s Living Wage is Nearly $10 More Than Minimum Wage: A recent report on the cost of living in Calgary has calculated that a living wage in the city is $24.45 an hour, with the minimum wage remaining unchanged at $15 an hour. A common misconception is that only youth living with their parents are making this wage but, in actuality, about 57.2% of minimum wage workers in Alberta last year were 25 years old or older. This disparity along with the rising costs of basic needs make attaining stable housing incredibly difficult or, in some cases, flat out impossible for many Calgarians.
  • https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/living-wage-minimum-wage-inflation-costs-1.7386920#:~:text=Calgary-,Calgary’s%20living%20wage%20calculated%20at%20nearly%20%2410%2Fh%20more%20than,more%20than%20the%20minimum%20wage.
• People Turn to the Homeless-Serving Sector When Other Systems Fail: Other systems are in place to assist individuals in difficult situations but, when those fall through, and individuals lose stable housing, the homeless-serving sector is the place they can turn to. Examples of system failures can include difficult transitions from child welfare, inadequate discharge planning from hospitals, corrections, and mental health and addictions facilities, a lack of support for new immigrants and refugees, and individuals fleeing domestic violence where a homeless shelter becomes the only option. The homeless-serving sector is not equipped to continue to see significant increases in number of clients leading to worse outcomes for everyone.
  • https://www.mtroyal.ca/nonprofit/InstituteforCommunityProsperity/Happenings/Unpacking-the-affordable-housing-crisis-ICP.htm

 

And what the heck can we do about it?

• Advocate: Write your local representatives, attend city council meetings, and keep an eye out for campaigns you can be a part of that push for more affordable housing
• Spread Awareness: Educate yourself on the challenges and issues in the housing sector, and share your knowledge with others
• Donate: Donate to agencies that provide affordable housing. Monetary donations and in-kind donations of furniture, appliances, etc. that people can make use of when entering a new home are very helpful for individuals transitioning from homelessness to stable housing
• Attend Events: Participate in local events, workshops, rallies, or discussions that are centered around housing policy
• Volunteer: Volunteer with local affordable housing providers; keep an eye out for volunteer positions on their board of directors or fundraisers supporting this cause
• Become a Landlord Partner with Alpha House: Learn more about our landlord partnership program for individuals exiting homelessness below

 

Alpha House & Landlord Partnerships 

Alpha House’s Community Housing Program works closely with landlords to provide housing for individuals exiting homelessness circumstances. Units are in market rentals around the city and clients are supported by our caseworkers to improve housing stability and communication between tenant and landlord. We are currently looking for landlords to partner with to provide housing for more vulnerable Calgarians.

If you are a landlord or know of a landlord who might be interested, download our Landlord Partnership Package for more information. Inside there are testimonials from current landlord partners, benefits of partnering with Alpha House (e.g. guaranteed consistent rent payments, home maintenance commitment, etc.), and the social benefit of working with our Community Housing Program.

 

Home for the Holidays

One of Alpha House’s biggest strengths is the powerful and moving stories we hear every day from our clients. Each and every client’s life journey is unique, and we believe it’s important to share their stories to not only raise awareness, but to develop the awareness that we cannot truly know someone’s life story or the circumstances that led to the homelessness they now experience.

Keep an ear open for our Home for the Holidays radio campaign to hear both staff and clients of Alpha House share their experiences with homelessness and the impact that stable housing has had on their lives.

The radio campaign will run from December 9^th to December 22^nd, and be featured on WILD 95.3 and 101.5 Today Radio.

CRRA Members Rally to Support Alpha House’s ‘Give Hope Through Housing’ Campaign

By The Community Housing Team

Alpha House had the privilege of participating in the Calgary Residential Rental Association (CRRA) Golf Extravaganza on September 4, and we’ve been genuinely heart-warmed by the outpouring of support we received from so many CRRA members and supporters we met at the event. It was a fantastic opportunity to share our mission and connect with landlords who are eager to make a difference.

Alpha House is thrilled to share the incredible response from CRRA members to our recent ‘Give Hope Through Housing’ campaign. The campaign called on landlords and housing providers to join us in offering secure, accessible housing for some of the city’s most vulnerable people through partnerships in our Community Housing program. The result has been nothing short of inspiring.

As a direct result of the relationships formed with CRRA throughout the summer and at the golf tournament, we’ve already secured 10 new landlord partnerships for our clients that will help provide stable homes for vulnerable Calgarians. We met one individual who wanted to do everything she can to raise awareness in her own community in southeast Calgary, of our need for new landlords and donations. She offered to put up posters and encourage everyone she knows to donate. Meeting people in our community who genuinely want to help vulnerable Calgarians is inspiring and gives us hope of a more secure future for our clients. 

One of our new CRRA landlords we have recently partnered with shared, “Being part of the Alpha House housing program and giving preference to a member of our community that needs housing is a very small act that makes a big difference in their life. We are pleased to be part of the partnership that assists the broader community.”

This generosity and sense of purpose resonate with many landlords, who understand the power of providing a safe, stable home for individuals navigating challenging circumstances.

Some landlords have gone above and beyond, offering their properties at reduced market rates, demonstrating incredible compassion and commitment to helping those in need. 

Paul Tokode, Alpha House’s Transition Program Manager, said,

“We’ve seen tremendous empathy from landlords who want to help their community. The generosity of providing units at lower rates means the world to our clients, many of whom live on very limited incomes.”

This outpouring of support not only strengthens Alpha House’s capacity to provide housing but also highlights the vital role community-driven solutions play in addressing homelessness.

Alpha House Executive Director Kathy Christiansen explained,

“Thanks to our new partnerships with CRRA landlords who stepped up, we are in the process of housing 10 individuals who were waiting for a home. This is only possible because of the overwhelming support from CRRA members and really shows the strength of our community when we work together to create positive change.”

 

Looking Forward

The success of the ‘Give Hope Through Housing’ campaign is a reminder of the essential role housing professionals play in supporting and uplifting communities. With the ongoing collaboration of CRRA members, Alpha House is now better equipped to offer hope and stability to more individuals and families facing homelessness.

Our campaign was launched in response to the urgent need for more housing solutions amidst a growing housing crisis, and it has resonated deeply with CRRA members. By stepping up to meet this need, CRRA landlords have demonstrated generosity, compassion, and a shared belief that stable housing is key to building better futures.

Alpha House is proud to continue working with the CRRA and its members to create lasting solutions to housing challenges. Together, we are making a difference, one home at a time.

If you’d like to learn more about how you can contribute to Alpha House’s ‘Give Hope Through Housing’ campaign or partner with us as a landlord, we invite you to visit Give Hope Through Housing.

Thank you to all CRRA members for your continued dedication to making housing more accessible and giving hope to those who need it most!

 

Alpha House has been delivering a version of the Engaging Vulnerable Persons workshop to Calgary communities for nearly a decade. The training has gone through many iterations over the years, adapting to the landscape of homelessness and addiction in the city to provide the most relevant information surrounding the challenges that can come from interacting with people on the street who may be under the influence, struggling with poor mental health, sleep deprived, or some combination of the above.

The EVP is broken into three sections.

• The landscape, myths, and key concepts surrounding homelessness and addiction
• Biases and Perceptions
• Improving interactions

This workshop is designed for any individual or group who is interested in understanding more about navigating public substance use, homelessness, and street-involved interactions. Learn all you need to know about this workshop with the below FAQ:

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a cost?

Alpha House is committed to providing this workshop to as many people as possible to increase understanding and compassion, equip people with tools to create safety for all, and bring community together to tackle these large social issues. If you do not have any funds to support this training, we will do our best to work with you. For businesses and corporate groups, the cost is $250.00, for other non-profit organizations and community groups the cost is $100. For individuals, we do have a webinar version available for $10 on demand. Details here: https://alphahousecalgary.com/engaging-vulnerable-persons/

 

Can I book one for my specific group?

Yes! We offer bookings for specific groups whether you’re a local business, corporate office, community group or non-profit agency, church, community association, or categorized some other way. Please email us at [email protected] to request a workshop.

 

How long is the workshop?

The full workshop is roughly 90 minutes, but we also offer condensed versions in 60-minute, 45-minute, and 30-minute options. Please note: we of course recommend the full version as it contains all the topics we believe are most relevant for effective understanding and implementation of the information. However, we can accommodate requests for compressed options as needed.

 

Is it possible to customize the presentation for my group?

Absolutely! Alpha House offers customizations (within reason) by request. We are happy to utilize specific scenarios or situations based on experiences your staff or group has encountered in the past. Equally, we can adjust the workshop to include more, or less, specific information about the topics covered.

 

Is the EVP in-person or virtual?

You decide! We are happy to provide the workshop in-person at your group’s location or virtually. We can also provide a hybrid option if you have staff/interested participants who are not able to make it in-person. Lastly, webinar options are available if you are interested in ongoing training for new hires, new volunteers, or something similar. Reach out to us to discuss.

 

Is there a webinar version for the general public?

You bet there is! More details here: https://alphahousecalgary.com/engaging-vulnerable-persons/

 

How do I book a workshop?

Email us at [email protected] !

 

Are there additional resources available?

We’re so glad you asked! There ARE additional resources available. Check out our YouTube channel for our Engaging Vulnerable Persons Video Series, which breaks down different interactions and best practices for engaging: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIrMdCzSNpxv0Wp-4Dk8dvg

 

If you have a question that has not been answered here, please feel free to email us for more information: [email protected]

 

The information presented in the Engaging Vulnerable Persons Training is information directly pulled from Alpha House’s 40+ years of experience working with vulnerable populations in Calgary, Alberta. We do not make any guarantees about the practices described in this training, however, and Alpha House shall not be responsible for any decisions made based on this information