Understanding Homelessness
A Complex and Changing Experience
As a non-profit offering evidence-based programming to some of the most vulnerable in our city, we take seriously the need for expertise and collaboration among community, provincial, and federal subject matter experts to inform our work. One such partner, the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF), has some excellent resources to better understand the larger subject of homelessness – in our city and beyond.
According to CHF, homelessness is a multifaceted issue that extends beyond living on the streets. It encompasses a range of unstable housing situations, including emergency shelters, temporary accommodations such as hospitals, and precarious living arrangements like couch-surfing. In some cases, individuals may have a place to stay but are at immediate risk of losing it.
Research indicates that homelessness is not a fixed condition but rather a fluid experience. Individuals may transition between different forms of housing instability, often in unpredictable and sudden ways. While the circumstances vary, a common factor among those experiencing homelessness is the absence of stable income and social supports necessary for long-term housing security.
Lack of Affordable Housing in Calgary
Calgary is in a housing crisis. Put simply, we do not have enough homes in our city.
The escalating housing affordability crisis in Calgary is a significant contributor to homelessness in our city. Recent data indicates that approximately 84,600 households, nearly one in five, are spending 30% or more of their income on shelter costs, classifying them as in need of affordable housing.
The situation has been exacerbated by a substantial rise in housing costs. Between 2020 and 2023, average rents increased by approximately 40%, with the average market rent reaching $2,097 in 2023. Simultaneously, the median price of a single detached home escalated by 37% during the same period.
This surge in housing costs has outpaced income growth, making it increasingly difficult for many Calgarians to afford stable housing. The lack of affordable housing options is a critical factor contributing to the rising number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the city.
Our partners at the Calgary Drop-in Centre, have compiled some very helpful information on the topic of housing affordability in our city.
Homelessness in Calgary
The Calgary Homeless Foundation defines “homelessness” as referring to four types of living situations:
Absolutely homeless (streets, parks, vacant buildings) or not fit for habitation (car, garages, tents).
Overnight shelters, domestic violence shelters, disaster chelter
Temporary accommodation or lacks security of tenure (hospital/jail)
Not homeless, but risk of homelessness or does not meet public health and safety standards (sudden unemployment, eviction, violence at home)
People experiencing homelessness in our city can be found in all four types of living situations.
This was demonstrated in the Administrative Count, a survey of people experiencing sheltered homelessness in Calgary on April 20, 2021.
Of the 1,935 people without permanent homes that day, the majority resided in emergency shelters (41%) and transitional housing facilities (31%).
Homeless populations have complex and diverse end-of-life care needs. However, they typically die outside of the end-of-life care system.
To address this unique need among some of the most vulnerable
SHARP’s Beswick House provides 24-hour long-term and palliative support for up to ten individuals. Care includes psycho-social, spiritual, personal care, and palliative end-of-life care.
HIV Rates
Alberta
Albertans living with HIV in 2020
5230
Canada
Canadians living with HIV in 2020
62745
According to national HIV estimates, there were 62,790 Canadians living with HIV at the end of 2020. This means that for every 100,000 Canadians, 170 people were living with HIV. Source
HIV+ Individuals in the Homeless Population are Less Likely to Achieve Undetectable Status
A recent study found that people with HIV who are homeless are less likely to achieve undetectable status. To better understand the challenges people who use drugs face in accessing HIV care and treatment, researchers from the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use and the University of British Columbia analyzed data from a long-term study called ACCESS (AIDS Cohort to Evaluate Exposure to Survival Services). Their latest research focused on individuals who joined the study between 2005 and 2019. All participants were adults living with HIV who used drugs.
At the beginning of the study, 32% of participants reported being homeless. Researchers found that while homelessness did not prevent people from being connected to HIV care, it did make it much harder for them to stay on treatment. People without stable housing were significantly less likely to take antiretroviral therapy (ART) compared to those with housing. Even when they started ART, they were less likely to continue treatment and achieve a suppressed viral load.
Overall, the study found that people experiencing homelessness were 44% less likely to move successfully through the steps of HIV care. The biggest impact of homelessness was on reaching an undetectable viral load, with researchers estimating a 54% lower chance of achieving this important health milestone.
The SHARP Foundation is partnering with Mount Royal University, Habitus Consulting Collective, Rainbow Elders Calgary, Centre for Sexuality, and The Alberta CBR Collaborative to create a program of reach to investigate and develop solutions to ensure respectful and inclusive care for LGBTQ2S+ Seniors as well as individuals aging with HIV.
Aging in the LGBTQ2S+ Community
With the advancements in medication and treatment people diagnosed with HIV are able to live longer. The SHARP Foundation is currently witnessing an increased number of referrals from long-time survivors who are now impacted with aging and also identify in the LGBTQ2S+ Community.
Unfortunately, in Canada there is a lack of seniors’ facilities which provide non-judgmental, compassionate care to individuals aging with HIV or in the LGBTQ2S+ Community. This results in fear of discrimination, possibly going back into the closet, and decreased quality of life.
The SHARP difference
Currently SHARP is leading the following initiatives
Exploring critical recommendations to improve senior services and housing for the LGBT+ community in Calgary and Alberta.
The outcomes of this study include recommendations for programming the seniors’ service sector can develop and implement, as well as training peer researchers for additional studies in Calgary and Alberta.
Learn more about the final LGBT+ seniors housing assessment:
Aging in the LGBT+ Community: housing needs assessment.
A digital storytelling project documenting the profound experiences of Calgarians impacted by the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and 1990s.
This is a digital story-telling project to identify and document the experiences of Calgarians who were impacted by the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s and early 1990s.
A 3-year initiative to create a web platform empowering individuals and organizations to build safe and inclusive spaces for LGBTQ2S+ seniors.
This is a 3-year project to build a web-based interface to inform and train individuals and organizations on ways to create best practices in building friendly, safe, and inclusive communities for LGBTQ2S+ seniors.
SHARP will utilize the expertise of the Calgary LGBT2S+ seniors housing and support study advisory committee, community partners and peer researchers to formulate ideas on best or wise practices to address healthy aging in the community.
Collaborating with experts to address the housing needs of older LGBTQ2S+ Canadians through research, policy, and community consultation.
The SHARP Foundation has partnered with Dr. Jacqueline Gahagan, Dalhousie University, on the national “meeting the housing needs of older LGBTQ2S+ Canadians: from research to policy and practice” and hosted a regional community consultation in Calgary in the Fall of 2019.
To learn more about key outcomes from the LGBTQ2S+ seniors’ study please click the following link.