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