'It's getting very tight': Calgary shelters close to hitting capacity amid cold snap

Shelters are scrambling to make space for Calgarians facing homelessness this winter as frigid temperatures persist.

Kevin Webb, director of emergency shelter and housing for the Calgary Drop-In Centre, said they’re coming very close to hitting capacity.

“All year long, we’ve seen higher than normal numbers,” he said. “Then when we get these cold cold spells, we usually see an increase. It can be anywhere between 60 and 70 people during these real extreme cold snaps, and we’re definitely seeing that this year.

“We’re pushing our boundaries on occupancy,” he said. “It’s getting very tight.”

Despite increased demand, though, the Drop-In Centre staff have a knack for making room for anyone who needs it.

“The teams are pretty creative when it comes to finding additional space for people,” Webb said. “In the eight-plus years that I’ve been there, we’ve never not found a spot for somebody.”

The shelter starts planning its winter response in August each year, and has contingency plans in place for when occupancy is especially high.

“We have a number of different areas throughout the building that that could often be used for administration stuff that we can convert to shelter space,” Webb said. “We’ve used things like collapsible desks and that type of thing, and then what we can do is roll in mats onto the floor for people.”

The Drop-In Centre also works with other shelters and social service organizations to ensure that individuals’ needs are met.

“I think one of the reasons that Calgary does so good at its response to homelessness is we are probably the most collaborative community around,” Webb said. “I work with shelters across Canada, and when they hear about our collaboration in Calgary, they’re just blown away.”

Teams at the Mustard Seed, too, do their best to make space for anyone who needs it, and shelter manager Michael Krause said they’re in regular contact with the Drop-In Centre and Alpha House in the winter months when they begin to near capacity. 

“The City of Calgary is very intentional about creating connections across the entire sector.” Krause said. “This isn’t individual shelters doing their own thing. This is a sector where we’re collaborating with each other, cooperating with each other, learning from each other, and honestly, it’s fantastic.”

The Mustard Seed’s daytime numbers double in the wintertime, Krause said, especially during cold snaps, and nighttime numbers are stretching the shelter’s capacity. When temperatures drop too low, he said, even those who typically prefer to stay outside will seek out a bed in the shelter.

“There are folks who are hesitant,” he said. “They’d rather set up a little camp with all of their stuff and stay to themselves.”

Some, he said, prefer to avoid the crowds or are anxious about their belongings being stolen, some have pets they aren’t willing to be separated from, while others might simply find it difficult to accept help.

“Winter months, less sunlight, holiday seasons are tough on people, and tough on mental health,” Krause said. “The more people you have bumping into each other in a limited space, the more you can get some friction and tension.”

Typically, elderly guests and those with mobility challenges are allowed to double up on mats, but when occupancy is high, it can be challenging to make sure there are enough mats to go around. The additional space taken up by guests’ extra clothing and winter gear can also make it difficult to get around.

On the flip side, there are many people who don’t have adequate winter clothing, making it dangerous to even venture outside. Donations of winter gear are always appreciated at both shelters, and can be dropped off at the Mustard Seed’s Community Impact Centre and the Drop-In’s donation centre. Monetary donations, too, can be stretched a long way.

This holiday season, Krause said, Mustard Seed staff have been “amazed … at the way that donors have shown up.”

“We’ve seen donations exceed what we’ve been receiving over the last few years by quite a bit, and it’s meant that we have a lot on hand to be able to resource our guests,” he said.

But the cold weather isn’t the only thing driving occupancy up, Webb said.

“We’re in the middle of this evil storm of the affordability crisis, the housing crisis, and then the toxic drug supply crisis,” he said.

In addition to providing emergency shelter, the Drop-In Centre also works with individuals to help them get into permanent housing. For many people who are experiencing homelessness, Webb said, the only barrier is coming up with a damage deposit or first month’s rent.

“Homelessness doesn’t define a person. Homelessness is a point in time in a person’s life,” he said. “Even through the the housing crisis and the affordability crisis, we’re still helping 50 to 70 people a month end their homelessness.”

The availability of housing and high rental prices continue to pose challenges for those looking for affordable housing.

“We’ve seen the numbers soften over the past few months, but lack of affordable or deeply affordable rental market is what the missing piece is,” Webb said.