Calgary’s homeless population per capita has declined over the past 15 years, despite a substantial overall increase in population, according to a new count done by city homeless advocates.

The 2024 Point-in-Time (PiT) count was released by the Calgary Homeless Foundation on March 25 and it showed 3,121 individuals were identified as homeless within the city.

Since 2008, there has been an increase in Calgary’s population of 45 per cent. Although there has been a population increase, the homelessness rate per capita has declined. With the population identified by the Point-in-Time count, the number of people experiencing homelessness has declined by 13 per cent over the same period the count was taken.  

In the 2008 count, 3.3 out of 1,000 individuals were experiencing homelessness compared to 2024, with 2 out of 1,000.

While the count showed an increase in the number of homeless citizens in Calgary compared to 2022, the rate of homelessness continues to stay steady overall.  

“Between 2022 and 2024 we’re seeing stability in the rate of homelessness,” said Bo Masterson, vice president of stakeholder engagement at the Calgary Homeless Foundation. 

The PiT count is conducted by Calgary Homeless Foundation. There is a street count done across the city by volunteers to determine the homeless population within Calgary.

“We go out and we literally count all the way through Calgary, from downtown outwards,” said Masterson, adding that data is also gathered from hospitals, correctional facilities and surrounding shelters.  

G4, Stoney Nakoda – Tsuut’ina Tribal Council Ltd. partnered with Calgary Homeless Foundation to perform the 2024 count. G4 is the Community Entity for Indigenous funding in Calgary.  

“While the numbers have not decreased overall, and Indigenous homelessness continues to be over-represented, we are heartened by the continued efforts of our First Nations Citizens, Governments, Calgarians, and our many partners who work to ensure our relatives continue to have opportunities to access safe, affordable, and dignified housing,” said Chantelle Cardinal the director of Reaching Home and G4 Tribal Council. 

Strides made, but more work is needed: CEO Jones

Although the newest count has shown significant progress, there are still challenges that have affected Calgary and its homeless population, such as growing rates of poverty and high inflation rates.

“Despite these challenges, the data reveals significant progress in fighting homelessness,” says Patricia Jones, President and CEO of the Calgary Homeless Foundation.  

The 2024 PiT count has also provided data that can be used to further help individuals experiencing homelessness in the future.

“The PiT Count really provides that opportunity for us, in addition to many other data sources that we have to identify some trends that then paved the way for the conversations we need to have with our partners,” said Masterson. 

With external support from agencies and organizations working together, individuals experiencing homelessness are provided with resources to help when in need. With the help of partners, the risk of homelessness for Calgarians has preventative measures put in place when there is a need for assistance. 

“We do believe that the way that we’ve collaborated means that we’re able to be nimble, flexible, and able to respond in a way that kind of brings all of us together to provide those right supports,” said Masterson. 

The City of Calgary said in a prepared release that the results show what’s possible with different partnerships and collaboration across communities and different sectors.

“There is still work to be done, but the decline in Calgary’s rate of homelessness over the past 16 years shows that our investments, strategies, and collaboration are making a meaningful difference,” said Kay Choi, director of partnerships with the City of Calgary.

“We are committed to seeing homelessness in Calgary continue to decline, offering hope and a path forward to everyone in our community.”

Four different city-owned affordable housing developments have been completed since 2018, and there are another five that are in development right now, bringing on an estimated 300+ new units.