Calgary will follow in Edmonton’s footsteps with a new, one-stop location to provide programs and services to the city’s most vulnerable.
The provincial government unveiled its plans at the downtown Calgary Salvation Army location Wednesday for a navigation and support centre where homeless or struggling individuals have a safe space to go and receive much-needed support.
According to the province, the centre will reduce the pressure felt by the emergency and front-line workers, who often see vulnerable Calgarians with no other place to go. They also hope to see the vulnerable population migrate away from public transit spaces and reduce public safety concerns around the city.
“This is a safe central location where people exiting encampments can access the services, they need to break the cycle and to rebuild their lives,” said Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, during the Wednesday media conference.
“The Navigation and Support Centre brings existing services under one roof, and those who formerly stayed in encampments and anyone experiencing homelessness can access the supports they need quickly and simply.”
The province’s first Navigation and Support Centre was created in Edmonton as local social service agencies worked with seven ministries and Indigenous leaders to establish Alberta’s first Navigation and Support Centre. According to the premier, there have been more than 800 individuals that have received financial aid from the centre in Edmonton, including more than 1,850 people who have accessed the centre, with 1,245 identification cards have been issued.
Services offered through the support centre include obtaining a valid Alberta identification, housing and shelter options, income support and indigenous support. Accompanying pets will also be treated in the centre as well as addiction treatment and physical and mental support.
“To really focus on emergency shelter and how emergency shelter connects to the recovery programs that we’re building in Alberta and how that will connect ultimately to long-term housing solutions,” said Jason Nixon, Minister of Seniors, Community and Social Services.
The Navigation centre will also provide transportation that clients can take from the centre or to specific referred appointments or another location.
Nixon said they’re hoping to bring a variety of services spread out across Calgary into one central location.
“We are now taking all of that together, the power of all the government ministries that are involved, the resources of it, together with our nonprofit partners, bringing that into one location,” said Minster Nixon.
Additional support is welcome, Mayor said
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said she was grateful the province had come forward with the additional help.
“We welcome the province’s assistance in helping Calgarians who otherwise can’t access things like identification, addictions and health services, and housing referrals,” the mayor said.
“The Navigation Centre will complement council’s ongoing focus and investments in community safety and wellbeing. This kind of response to Calgarians in crisis is what governments should strive to provide, together, to make sure no one falls through the cracks.”
More than $80 million in funding has been provided to support homelessness initiatives in Calgary, the province said. Provincial funding also provides 24-7 access to more than 2,000 emergency spaces in Calgary.
According to Janis Irwin, Alberta NDP Critic for Housing, there is still more work to be done by the UCP.
“Today’s announcement by the UCP in Calgary does nothing to increase permanent supportive housing that we know yields better outcomes for people than more of these band-aid solutions from the provincial government,” said Irwin.
