Richter Resigns Leadership of Calgary Homeless Foundation

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - April 5, 2012) - The Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF) today announced President and Chief Executive Officer Tim Richter will resign in the summer of 2012 to lead the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, a new organization which will mobilize communities to develop and implement their own 10 Year Plans to End Homelessness (10 Year Plans).

"On behalf of the Board, I thank Tim for his contribution to Calgary's homeless-serving community," said Steve Snyder, Chair of the CHF Board of Directors. "Tim has been a leader in Calgary and Alberta in developing innovative and effective programs that can end homelessness in our communities. This new role recognizes the national and international leadership he and all the organizations working on Calgary's 10 Year Plan have brought to bear on the issue of homelessness."

The HR Committee of the CHF Board will oversee a process to select Mr. Richter's successor. The Board is confident given strong governance practices, succession planning and management team, the CHF will continue to operate smoothly while a worthy successor is found.

In 2007, the Calgary Committee to End Homelessness was formed to create a 10 Year Plan. Mr. Richter worked with the Committee to draft the 10 Year Plan - the first of its kind in Canada. The CHF was then asked to lead implementation of the 10 Year Plan beginning in January 2008 and Mr. Richter became the CHF's President and CEO.

Under Mr. Richter's leadership, the CHF has:

• invested nearly $150 million in federal and provincial government funding in more than 40 programs;
• built an affordable housing portfolio, with more than 350 units;
• introduced the first Homeless Management Information System in Canada;
• developed and implemented several first-of-their-kind Housing First programs;
• created Calgary's Plan to End Youth Homelessness;
• developed a research agenda and network on homelessness; and
• helped other Canadian communities develop 10 Year Plans.

These efforts led to nearly 4,000 people receiving housing and support in the first four years of Calgary's 10 Year Plan. For the first time in 20 years, the number of people experiencing homelessness is decreasing based on the January 2012 homeless count. Use of Human Services-funded emergency shelters is also decreasing.

The 10 Year Plan targets an end to homelessness by January 29, 2018. Ending homelessness means that 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 and affordable home with the support needed to sustain it.

To learn more about the CHF and Calgary's 10 Year Plan website: www.calgaryhomeless.com.