The Calgary Affordable Housing Foundation (CAHF) has initiated a critical winter fundraising drive to bolster housing support for the city's most vulnerable residents. The campaign launch strategically coincides with National Housing Day, highlighting the urgent need for community action during the coldest months.
The Deepening Housing Crisis in Calgary
According to recent data, the scale of the housing need in Calgary is staggering. More than 2,500 families, adults, and youths remain on a waitlist for referrals to affordable housing. The Calgary Homeless Foundation reports that individuals on this list face an average wait of more than 220 days for a place to call home.
The city's efforts, while ongoing, are not keeping pace with demand. While Calgary adds approximately 300 non-market affordable housing units each year, the estimated annual requirement is dramatically higher, sitting between 2,500 and 3,000 units. This significant gap leaves thousands of Calgarians in precarious living situations.
A Call to Action for the Community
Mike Meldrum, CEO of CAHF, emphasized the campaign's urgency in a media release. "Every day in Calgary, there are Calgarians facing winter without a warm and safe place to call home," Meldrum stated. He confirmed that the foundation and its partners are focused on increasing the supply of non-market affordable homes and are calling on the public for support.
The campaign, which launched on Saturday, provides a straightforward way for Calgarians to contribute. Those wishing to donate can do so directly by visiting the official foundation website at thecahf.com.
Seniors and Families Bear the Brunt
The housing affordability issue disproportionately affects Calgary's senior population. Kyle Fawcett, CEO of Silvera for Seniors, revealed a troubling statistic: while seniors constitute just 13 percent of Calgary's population, they represent 23 percent of the 85,000 households in core housing need.
"This is proof that far too many of our parents, grandparents and neighbours are facing hard choices about where they can live with dignity," Fawcett said. He described the collaboration with CAHF as a "transformative solution" and a powerful call to action for the community.
The City of Calgary estimates that approximately one in five Calgarians spends more than 30 percent of their household income on housing costs. This threshold is the nationally recognized point at which housing is no longer considered affordable, placing immense financial strain on tens of thousands of households.
Martina Jileckova, CEO of Onward, summed up the campaign's core mission, stating, "A safe and stable home is the foundation for well-being, and every Calgarian deserves one." She encouraged public support for the CAHF campaign this National Housing Day to help bridge the affordable housing gap and create communities where everyone can thrive.
