For over six and a half decades, the Calgary Drop-In Centre (DI) has stood as a vital sanctuary for the city's most vulnerable residents. Recently, however, the organization has achieved a remarkable milestone that redefines success in the fight against homelessness.
A New Philosophy: From Shelter to Sustainable Housing
While the DI once provided nightly refuge for more than 1,000 people, that number has now fallen to an average of 600. Far from indicating a shortfall, this significant decrease represents a profound strategic victory. Under the leadership of President and CEO Sandra Clarkson, the centre has executed a major philosophical shift, transforming from a traditional emergency shelter into a housing-focused emergency shelter.
"At the DI, we are very much committed to doing this differently, resulting in better outcomes," Clarkson explains. The core of this new model is a simple yet powerful idea: a shelter is not a long-term home, but a critical connection point. The ultimate goal is to end an individual's experience of homelessness permanently.
Measurable Success and National Recognition
The results of this transformative approach are striking. The organization has reduced its chronic shelter stays by 85 percent. This achievement wasn't accomplished by turning people away, but by implementing robust, long-term solutions. The DI now operates three multi-unit residential buildings to help clients transition from the streets to a home of their own.
Clarkson notes that the centre has successfully housed 70 percent of its clients within the wider community. With ongoing support, the failure rate—defined as individuals returning to life on the streets—stands at less than five percent. This proven success has made the DI a case study for housing advocates across North America, with other shelters frequently seeking its expertise.
A Call for Community Support This Holiday Season
The ongoing need for the DI's services remains acute. As Calgary's population continues to grow and is projected to reach two million within four years, pressures on affordable housing persist. The centre is one of more than 75 local agencies being supported by the 2025 Christmas Fund, a Postmedia Calgary initiative that encourages public donations to aid the city's most vulnerable.
"Our mandate is to end someone's experience of homelessness, one person at a time," Clarkson states. This holiday season, community support through the Christmas Fund is crucial to help the DI and other organizations expand their life-changing work, offering not just temporary refuge but a permanent path forward for hundreds of Calgarians.
