Calgary Drop-In Centre Faces Pressure to Relocate as Province Backs New Approach

The Calgary Drop-In Centre is facing mounting pressure to move out of downtown Calgary, as city leaders, businesses and the provincial government push for a new approach to addressing homelessness and public safety concerns.

The shelter, located in the East Village, has long been a central hub for emergency housing and social services. However, its president and CEO Sandra Clarkson says staff are increasingly overwhelmed by the growing number of clients and the complexity of issues they face, including addiction and mental health challenges.

Originally built in 2001 with space for about 520 people, the facility now regularly accommodates around 900 individuals during winter months. Clarkson says the shelter has successfully helped house nearly 4,000 people since 2018, but demand continues to outpace capacity, with more new arrivals each month than those being placed into housing.

Concerns about safety both inside and outside the shelter have intensified. Residents and businesses in the East Village report rising disorder, while some shelter clients have raised concerns about violence, theft and substance use within the facility.

Scott Boyd of the Calgary Police Service says the concentration of social services in the downtown core contributes to higher levels of visible disorder. He notes that clustering multiple support agencies in one area can draw people in need, but also increases pressure on surrounding communities.

The Government of Alberta has signalled support for a decentralized model. In a letter sent earlier this year, Minister Jason Nixon endorsed exploring options to distribute services across multiple locations instead of relying on one large facility.

Clarkson says any transition must be carefully planned and based on evidence, not politics. She cautioned that simply relocating the shelter will not solve homelessness, emphasizing the need for more affordable and supportive housing across the city.

Efforts are already underway to expand services beyond the downtown core. Calgary has introduced additional daytime resource centres and plans to open more facilities where people can access basic services such as meals, showers and support programs.

Despite growing calls for change, Clarkson stresses that the shelter exists because of homelessness—not the other way around. She says the focus should remain on long-term solutions that address the root causes of homelessness while ensuring safety and dignity for those in need.

Courtesy: CBC