Inn from the Cold, an emergency shelter in Calgary, recently hosted a holiday open house to raise awareness about homelessness and the challenges it faces. CEO Heather Morley invited the public to visit the shelter, engage with staff, and learn firsthand about the struggles they encounter daily. The shelter, which provides housing and essential support services for families in crisis, has seen a dramatic increase in demand due to the ongoing housing crisis. Before the pandemic, the shelter assisted around 500 families annually, but that number has now soared to 1,400.
Morley explained that the housing affordability crisis is driving this surge in demand, with families now staying in the shelter for an average of 90 days—nearly triple the pre-pandemic stay of 35 days. Many of the shelter’s clients have faced unexpected setbacks such as rent increases, job losses, or health issues, which can quickly lead to homelessness.
On any given night, Inn from the Cold supports up to 20 families, providing a crucial safety net for those who find themselves “down on their luck.” The shelter’s services are more essential than ever as the housing crisis continues to affect vulnerable Calgarians, and the organization is committed to offering critical assistance to those in need.
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