Calgary Homeless Foundation Cautions Economic Boom Could Put Pressure on Homeless-Serving System

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - June 23, 2011) - At today's 2011 Annual General Meeting, the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) will celebrate progress made over the past year, but also caution the community that another economic boom could put pressure on the city's homeless-serving system.

Progress made by the community on the 10 Year Plan over the past year included:

• providing housing and support to nearly 1,500 people, with more than 2,660 people being housed and supported to date; and
• funding for 995 housing units in Calgary, with a total of 3,051 affordable housing units funded to date.

In the fourth year of the 10 Year Plan, the CHF will work with agencies to build a more coordinated and efficient homeless-serving system. At the same time, the CHF is concerned about the impact a boomtown economy could have on those at risk of or experiencing homelessness.

"While a strong economy in Calgary creates jobs, it also increases the cost of living," said Tim Richter, President and CEO of the CHF. "This means workers coming to look for jobs may not find affordable housing and vulnerable Calgarians on fixed incomes may be unable to absorb higher costs."

Given this environment, the CHF will focus limited resources on reducing shelter use, driving toward the goal of ending homelessness. This goal states that by January 29, 2018 an individual or family will stay in an emergency shelter or sleep outside for no longer than one week before moving into a safe, decent, affordable home with the support needed to sustain it.

The Annual General Meeting will be held today, Thursday, June 23^rd, 2011 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Pumphouse Theatre (2140 Pumphouse Avenue S.W.). At the meeting, there will be special recognition of CHF donors: David Bissett, Gary Nissen, Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer LLP and First Calgary Financial. There will also be interview opportunities with Tim Richter after the meeting.

Today, the CHF published the Report to the Community and Financial Report, which are available at www.calgaryhomeless.com.