Diversion Programs

Definition:

Diversion refers to a strategy that redirects individuals from using high-cost public services, such as emergency rooms or police intervention, toward more appropriate, and cumulatively less expensive, alternatives. The goal is to connect people with the specific services they need in order to address their mental or physical health, substance use disorders, or housing needs, instead of leaving them to use emergency services or reactive healthcare and get caught up in law enforcement systems, which are not designed to solve the root problems that prevent this group from finding stability.

Why are we talking about this in Calgary?

By investing in stable housing, we can address the root causes of many health crises and reduce some of the unnecessary use of emergency services. This approach is centered on prevention: it’s about providing foundational support that helps individuals avoid health emergencies in the first place. For example, people in stable housing are less likely to suffer from severe conditions like frostbite, infections, or wounds that result from living on the street. For those in higher needs programs, they are also likely to be in close contact with case or social workers and provided consistent support, which can lead to a significant reduction in things like undiagnosed psychiatric illnesses. Ultimately, this approach improves the well-being of vulnerable populations and builds a more resilient community, reducing long-term strain on public systems.

Diversion programs target different groups based on their need. For example, some intensive diversion programs offer a long-term strategic solution by targeting ‘high-frequency system users’ who have unnecessarily high uses of hospitals, policing, and community court, or inappropriate use of public transit or public spaces (i.e. using them for sleeping or substance use). On average, it costs $87,000 per year to support a person who is a high user of public services because they don’t have a home. But once that person is permanently housed, their housing and supports decrease to approximately $30,500 per year, representing a 65% reduction.[4] By identifying those in this group and providing them with intensive supports, we can divert them from over-use of emergency services and redirect them from a cycle of crises and into stable living situations. Diversion programs on the other side of the spectrum identify people who may only need a temporary boost to get on their feet such as one-time rental or utility support, simple medical interventions, or connection to available community resources, ensuring they receive the necessary services without requiring long-term assistance.

What part of the housing puzzle does diversion address?

“I don’t want my taxpayer dollars to go towards solving someone else’s problems – I have myself and my own loved ones to think about and care for, why should I also be paying for someone else – someone who isn’t pulling their own weight societally,” is a common statement we hear at Alpha House regarding homelessness, in particular. But it is a common enough perspective when it comes to social services.

Homelessness, poverty, or unaddressed public mental health crises are most often responded to by law enforcement, criminal justice, and healthcare systems because these groups often have no other interventions available or because these interventions are forced on them i.e. someone calling police on someone sleeping in a park. But it isn’t true to say this is the only way to respond to these community issues; it certainly isn’t true that this is the most effective way to respond.

A Calgary Homeless Foundation report from 2018-2021 analyzed 53 ‘Housing First’ programs that showed providing supportive housing to people experiencing homelessness was enormously successful in reducing unnecessary use of public services[5]

• 27% Emergency room visits
• 33% court appearances
• 40% EMS use
• 45% Hospital Stays
• 74% police interactions
• 75% incarcerations

For healthcare – EMS use, hospital stays, emergency room visits we see overuse because individuals experiencing homelessness have less access to basic hygiene, regular sleep, psychological safety; they have more exposure to the elements and are more likely to have morbidity disorders because of the strain of being on the street. Healthcare is the most expensive public service in terms of government spending so reducing unnecessary use means huge costs savings.

For law enforcement, police are responding to calls about panhandling, public intoxication, loitering, “unwanted persons, suspicious persons” – reducing those interactions by 74% is significant cost savings in terms of spending on law enforcement – this also frees up police budgets to do more proactive police work.

Diversion programs are effective because they directly help people who need additional supports, whether temporarily or long-term, by addressing their individual needs through existing programs, reducing the impact of homelessness, poverty, and mental health crises on the broader community. Diversion programs both save money and resources in terms of overstretched public services and offer better outcomes for those in need of supports. In particular, diversion almost always leads to more stable housing outcomes for people, which is a major factor in helping people and a community achieve stability.

Subsidized or Supportive Housing

Definition: Subsidized housing helps those with low to moderate incomes afford housing through financial supplements for rent whereas supportive housing can include subsidies or additional on or off-site supports to help program participants live more stably. The objective of both is to guarantee that everyone has access to secure, stable housing. With subsidized housing, eligibility is determined almost entirely by income levels and most frequently supports those at risk of homelessness, those who are in unsafe living conditions, or vulnerable populations like seniors or people with disabilities. More intensive supportive housing includes case workers to support on an individual basis with interventions that build independence and capacity for participants i.e. assistance with medication, hygiene, guest management, mobility challenges etc.

Why are we talking about this for Calgary?

Subsidized and supportive housing helps address the imbalance between housing supply and demand for individuals with fixed or low incomes or low acuity needs by providing safe, affordable rental units for individuals and families who might otherwise be priced out of the private market or be unable to live alone. By financially subsidizing housing or providing additional supports, governments ensure that vulnerable populations have access to stable housing long-term, reducing pressure on emergency shelters, health systems, and policing – public systems in which low-income populations and those with mental health challenges or co and tri-morbidities are more likely to be represented. For example, research shows that providing housing for one individual experiencing homelessness can save taxpayers up to $34,000 each year. This is because of the homeless populations unnecessary overrepresentation in public systems like healthcare and law enforcement.

In Calgary, key providers of supportive housing programs include The Calgary Housing Company, Attainable Homes, Onward Homes, Liberty Housing Organization, The Alex, Alpha House, Calgary Mental Health Association, Inn from the Cold, Calgary Heritage Housing, Accessible Housing Calgary, Calgary Society for Persons with Disabilities, The Mustard Seed, and many more. These all play a critical role in supporting communities and alleviating broader societal pressures.

For government-funded subsidy programs, an individual or family must meet the maximum allowable income requirements to qualify for subsidized housing. For example, the Calgary Housing Company offers subsidized housing for applicants whose income falls below the Maximum Income Limits (MIL) for the unit size, based on the number of bedrooms. For instance, the MIL for a one-bedroom unit is below $81,000, while a two-bedroom unit is $94,000, and so on. As long as your income is below the MIL, your application can be processed and evaluated^[1]. Eligibility also differs with each program. Through the Alberta government’s website, findhousing.alberta.ca, those in need of such programs can complete a short set of questions to determine eligibility as well as which type of housing would best fit your needs.

For more intensive supportive housing programs, referrals are required to identify the range of needs someone might have to match them with the appropriate program or building. Applications might be directly sent to a program or could be through a coordinated system as is the case with many homeless-serving housing programs.

What part of the housing puzzle do subsidized and supportive housing address:

Supportive housing increases economic growth, improves public health, fosters stability, and lowers community costs by giving vulnerable populations safe, less expensive accommodation and in-place supports. These types of programs benefit everyone by improving the general well-being and safety of our community but particularly create housing accessibility for people and families who are struggling with addiction, mental health issues, homelessness, and other obstacles. Finding steady work, learning new skills, and participating in the community are all made possible through stable housing.[2]

The goal of addressing the housing crisis is not merely to “build more homes,” but also to create a spectrum of housing options that address the different needs of Calgary’s diverse population.

 

Affordable/non-market housing %

Definition:

Non-market housing refers to housing that is offered at below-market rates as per regulations set between local governments and developers or private landlords. Unlike subsidized housing, which often adjusts rent based on a household’s income, non-market housing typically provides units at fixed, affordable rates at a specific percentage lower than what is available on the open rental market.

Why are we talking about this for Calgary?

In Calgary, this housing supports seniors, families, and individuals who earn too much to qualify for fully subsidized housing but who still cannot keep up with the inflated market costs. Non-market housing fills the critical gap between market housing and deeply subsidized units, by ensuring affordability and stability but without the additional cost of non-profit or government oversight, strengthening the city’s ability to provide a full spectrum of housing options.

What part of the housing puzzle does affordable housing address:

Investing in the development and preservation of non-market housing not only addresses the housing crisis but also strengthens Alberta’s economy. For every $1 million put into housing, the economy grows by $1.4 million ^[3]. As with subsidized housing, non-market housing helps reduce strain on emergency services, healthcare, and correctional facilities, and strengthens the local economy by supporting low-income workers, which in turn helps employers and attracts new businesses and investments.

Check out the rest of the content on our Vote Housing page (https://alphahousecalgary.com/votehousing ), where we have a lot of great information and commentary about housing in Calgary

 

[1] https://calgaryhousingcompany.org/are-you-eligible/

[2] https://www.calgary.ca/communities/housing-in-calgary/affordable-housing-about.html#:~:text=Housing%20is%20ultimately%20about%20positive,reducing%20barriers%20to%20access%20housing.

[3] https://www.calgary.ca/communities/housing-in-calgary/affordable-housing-about.html#:~:text=Non%2Dmarket%20(Affordable%20housing)%20is%20housing%20that%20has%20some,buy%20housing%20at%20market%20prices.

[4] Jadidzadeh, A., Falvo, N., & Dutton, D. J. (2020). Cost Savings of Housing First in a Non-Experimental Setting. Canadian Public Policy, 46(1), 23-36. doi:10.3138/cpp.2019-017

[5] https://www.calgaryhomeless.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CHFDataDashboard_November2021.pdf