DESCRIPTION
Supporting shelter guests in accessing stable housing. Our Housing Supports program provides flexible, one-time financial assistance to emergency shelter guests transitioning into housing in the community. Clients receive support covering first month's rent, damage deposit, and move-in costs. This program is not tied to a specific property — shelter guests are housed across the community with any landlord, in market or affordable housing, including our own affordable mixed-market housing buildings. Our Housing Support team works intensively with each individual to identify right-fit housing and provides ongoing supports after housing is secured to ensure long-term housing stability. Our Free Goods Program provides furniture and household goods at no cost to the guest, ensuring no one moves into an empty home — reducing the risk of housing breakdown and return to shelter. Funding removes the financial barriers that keep people in emergency shelter longer than necessary, enabling faster transitions to stable, independent housing.
DETAILS
Affordability Framework
N/A — clients are experiencing homelessness and are assumed to be in extreme poverty with little to no income.
Target Completion Date
N/A
Populations Served
Homelessness
Total Project Cost
$770,000
Total Units
150
Affordable Units
N/A
Project Funding
Funding Required
We are requesting $85,000 annually over three years ($255,000 total) in grant funding to provide flexible move-in financial assistance to emergency shelter guests transitioning into stable housing. At $1,700 per person, this will support approximately 50 individuals per year into housing, equalling 150 over three years. The total project cost is $770,000 annually, which moves approximately 450 individuals into housing each year and approximately 1,350 over three years. Funds are required by October 2026.
Funds Raised
$254,250 — grant (Calgary Homeless Foundation; confirmed).
Use of funds
Funds will be used to provide flexible, one-time financial assistance to individuals transitioning out of emergency shelter into stable housing in the community. Each client receives on average $1,700 covering first month's rent, damage deposit, and move-in costs. Our Housing Support team works closely with each individual to identify right-fit housing that matches their needs, and continues to provide ongoing supports after they are housed to ensure the transition is successful and supports long-term housing stability. Many of our clients present with complex needs, and the flexibility of these funds is essential to matching the right person with the right housing at the right time. Without this funding, clients face significant financial barriers to securing housing and remain in emergency shelter longer than necessary — at greater personal cost and greater cost to the system. Funding will directly reduce shelter stays and move people into stable housing faster. Our Free Goods Program provides furniture and household goods to clients transitioning into housing, ensuring no one moves into an empty home and reducing the risk of housing breakdown and return to shelter. At $1,700 per person, an $85,000 annual grant would support approximately 50 individuals into housing each year.
Human Impact Story
At 71, Sue (name changed) was living in an encampment when our staff met her and recognized her vulnerability. Within days, she was connected to case management, stayed briefly in our emergency shelter, and was rapidly rehoused into a mixed‑market building. Since then, Sue celebrated her 72nd birthday in her own home, secured income and medical supports, and became a valued member of the community. Settled in her suite with a balcony, she spends her days enjoying the safety, comfort, and dignity of home.
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