Calgary's homeless population balloons

[ErickMontreal]

Calgary's homeless population balloons

 

As thousands of migrants have poured into Calgary, housing costs spiralled out of the range for many of those at the lower end of the income spectrum.Dean Bicknell/Canwest News ServiceAs thousands of migrants have poured into Calgary, housing costs spiralled out of the range for many of those at the lower end of the income spectrum.

 

Canwest News Service Published: Wednesday, July 16, 2008

 

CALGARY -- Calgary's homeless population has reached more than 4,000 - an increase of 18.2% since 2006, according to this year's homeless count.

 

As of May 14, there were 4,060 homeless people in Calgary.

 

Officials cannot explain it but the rate of homeless families jumped dramatically to 197 from 145 in 2006 -- an increase of 36%.

 

Calgary in many ways has been a victim of its own success. As thousands of migrants poured into the city over the past number of years, housing costs spiralled out of the range for many of those at the lower end of the income spectrum.

 

Alberta does not have any traditional rent controls. The average rent for a two-bedroom unit in Calgary is now $1,100.

 

Many of Calgary's homeless are employed - as many as 60% staying at the downtown Mustard Seed Street Ministry, said operations manager Floyd Perras.

 

Mike Nault, 40, who hails from Winnipeg, said he has been living on Calgary's streets with his girlfriend, Debbie Reid, for eight months.

 

"The stress level of being on the street is just phenomenal," said Mr. Nault, who regularly works temporary construction jobs.

 

Ms. Reid said she drinks up to two dozen beers a day because it is "depressing" being homeless. "You turn to self-medication."

 

Civic and business leaders have come up with a 10-year plan to end homelessness. The province has followed up with tens of millions of dollars more for affordable housing and the creation of a Secretariat for Action on Homelessness.

 

http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=659002