Homeless In Calgary?

The grass is not always greener as a lot of people who flocked to Calgary are finding out. In Calgary there is lots of work but not enough shelter. In Toronto we have an excess of shelter but it would appear not enough work.

Calgary homeless housed in buses
'The bottom line is we don't want anyone freezing'
Nov. 15, 2006. 06:09 AM

CALGARY—Calgary Transit buses are being used to help shelter the city's growing number of homeless.

Two buses have been parked outside the Mustard Seed Street Ministry to house people who can't find room in the agency's new emergency shelter.

Mustard Seed spokesperson Del Bannerman said the buses help about 25 people a night.

"We've opened up all our conference rooms and there are still people being turned away, so good for the city for meeting a need," she said.

Alberta's booming economy has attracted thousands of people to the province and the resulting housing shortage has put even more people on the street.

This month, Mustard Seed opened 85 sleeping spaces in its administration building that, along with the buses, will be used until a temporary facility opens around Dec. 1.

"We'll have to continue working with all the agencies because there's not going to be any affordable housing for a long time," said Bannerman.

She said the buses aren't an ideal answer, but provide a warm place to sleep and enjoy coffee. "It's not the best, but it's not outside. There's not another solution right at hand."

Calgary Transit spokesperson Ron Collins said the buses will be provided if requested.

"The bottom line is we don't want anyone out there freezing," he said.

Other facilities have been swamped and have been forced to turn dozens away since cold weather arrived.

Canadian Press