Home / Lifestyle / Calgary's Warm Spaces Expand After Record Winter Use
Calgary's Warm Spaces Expand After Record Winter Use
19 Apr
Summary
- EWR recorded over 32,300 visits from more than 3,200 individuals.
- Program connected over 11,700 people to housing and health supports.
- EWR plans to operate year-round, adapting to extreme heat and cold.
The Calgary Homeless Foundation's Extreme Weather Response (EWR) program is set to expand following a record-breaking winter. Between December and March, the program saw more than 32,300 visits from over 3,200 individuals experiencing homelessness. This initiative, a partnership involving the city and over 20 organizations, provides safe, warm day spaces offering meals, hygiene supplies, and crucial connections to health and housing supports.
This past winter, EWR facilitated over 11,700 connections to vital services, including housing, mental health, and addiction recovery programs. The program aims to evolve its offerings to meet diverse needs, a strategy that has led to its highest number of unique visitors and shuttle transports to shelters on record. The foundation plans to expand its day spaces and transition EWR into a year-round service.
This move towards year-round operation is intended to combat not only cold temperatures but also extreme heat and sudden weather shifts. Organizations like the Salvation Army are already extending their warming centre hours into June and will adapt them into cooling stations. A noted increase in new individuals experiencing homelessness, including seniors and families, highlights the growing impact of rising living costs on vulnerable populations.
