Where are unhoused people supposed to go during the day? That seemingly simple question led Doug Horner, MRU’s journalist-in-residence, to learn more about the city’s day spaces, which offer services and support for the unhoused community.
You can read the result of Horner’s in-depth reporting here.
But if you don’t have the time or inclination to do that, here are five key takeaways from the article:
1. Not everyone feels safe in the city
Public safety and disorder have been in the news lately, especially during the recent municipal election where it was often cited by candidates as a top issue. Surveys say only 27 per cent of Calgarians feel safe downtown after dark, and only seven per cent of people over 65 feel that way. Over the past year or so, police have made a push to improve these perceptions of safety via coordinated, highly visible patrols.
2. The Central Outreach Hub is filling a gap in services
One organization trying a different approach to community safety downtown is the Central Outreach Hub. They are a nonprofit organization and community centre where anyone can get a hot meal and any necessities they need at that moment.
The hub, which operates out of the Central United Church, provides food, medical care, clothes, access to social services and a safe place to rest during the day. It is not so much a shelter but a safe haven where people in need can spend their time without being asked to move along.
The Hub has become so popular that lineups extend around the corner until the doors open for the day. But despite its success as a daytime home, securing grants has been difficult, which makes expansion and sustainability more of a challenge.
3. The Hub is one of several “day spaces” in the city
Statistics Canada conducted a survey in 2023, reporting that 32 per cent of Calgarians live in food-insecure households. Because of this, advocates say creating safe spaces that welcome anyone with open arms, regardless of their story, is critical. There are a number of organizations doing this kind of work, including the Aboriginal Friendship Centre, Mustard Seed, the Women’s Centre, Woods Homes and more.
In the northwest suburbs of Royal Oak and Rocky Ridge, Journey Church runs its own day space to help the people who make their way to the end of the CTrain line.
4. Not everyone is sold on the day space model
Some downtown business owners appreciate the cause but worry about creating a hotspot of homeless services in an important area of the city. In the northwest, businesses near Journey Church have been largely supportive of their efforts because it gives them a place to send people who ride the LRT to its final stop. Police agree that if people are being asked to leave specific public areas, they should have an alternative place to go.
5. The community is working on solutions
As part of Horner’s project, the Calgary Journal hosted a pop-up event on Nov. 20, which featured a community meal, clothing giveaway, live music and a relaxed place to hang out for a few hours. The Journal gave away roughly 50 winter coats and the same number of toques, mitts and socks. As part of the event, Horner moderated a panel of community leaders who discussed the role of day spaces in serving the homeless population. Those included:
- Alice Lam – Good Neighbour
- Chris Bilodeau – Journey Church
- Brad Pert – Central Outreach Hub
- Jessica Cope Williams – Calgary Homeless Foundation
- Jon Molyneux – Concorde Group
You can watch the full discussion here.