As one of North America’s largest homeless shelters faces overwhelming pressures, the Calgary Drop-In Centre (DI) is considering major changes.
The DI has stood in Calgary’s East Village for a quarter of a century, and it’s signed on to remain there until at least 2050.
But in a shelter sometimes used by more than 900 people per night, CEO Sandra Clarkson said the site is assessing how to evolve to meet the growing scale and complexity of its clients’ needs. Clarkson said the shelter is considering a variety of options around providing shelter services, pathways into housing, and affordable and supportive housing.