What Does Homelessness Look Like in Alberta?
- Alberta Homeless Foundation
- Sep 11, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 19, 2025
Statistics
Homelessness is seen in multiple ways and consists of a variety of different stories across Alberta. According to Calgary Homeless Foundation, the latest Point-in-Count (PiT) used administrative data, system data, and street data to conclude that 3,121 individuals experienced homelessness each night in Calgary (2024).
Demographics
➔ Age: Only 2,501 individuals out of 3,121 age demographic data was identified. 79% of this population consisted of adults aged 25-44 and 45-64, 7% were youth aged 12-17 and 18-24, 6% were seniors aged 65+, and 8% were children aged 0-5 and 6-12 years old.
➔ Gender: Out of the total population, 60% identified as male, and 29% identified as female. The remaining 21% of the population was divided into approximately 20% unknown identities, and <1% of individuals identified as transgender or gender diverse.
➔ Ethnicity: Taking into account only the known ethnicities, 48.3% of individuals were Caucasian, with 30% Indigenous, 13.3% African, and 8.4% of other racial ethnicities.
➔ Indigenous Overrepresentation: Despite a small Indigenous population in Calgary,they still made up 25% of the population experiencing homelessness; majority of which consisted of individuals aged under 18 years old.
Homelessness does not affect all individuals equally. While Caucasians are numerically observed to be the largest group experiencing homelessness, disparity shown in Indigenous individuals experiencing homelessness in contrast to their representation in the general population reflects the ongoing impacts of colonialism, residential schools, intergenerational trauma, and systemic barriers seen in housing, employment, and health. It raises awareness to the systemic inequalities that are present in today’s society and addresses the challenges that Indigenous communities face.
In addition to this, while the majority of the population experiencing homelessness are aged between 25-44 years old, the children facing unstable family situations or seniors lacking the ability to afford housing, evidently shows that probability of homelessness is able to span every life stage. This pattern highlights the concept that homelessness affects thousands of groups, some more than others.
Living Conditions
During the night, the majority of the individuals experiencing homelessness stay in emergency shelters or outreach programs. While these shelters provide places to sleep, meals, and basic services, they are not designed for long-term stays. Many of these facilities are also overpopulated meaning safety can be at risk, and a spot is often not guaranteed. Due to its unpredictability, those trying to maintain employment or attend school, this makes it an unsustainable housing solution.
A significant minority still remain unsheltered and make it through the night by residing in tents, public places, or in areas that are not made for habitation such as vehicles. Calgary is known for its harsh winters, and this poses a health and safety risk for the unsheltered populations, increasing their vulnerability to illness and injury. Regardless of this, individuals still prefer living in these conditions compared to emergency shelters due to the fact that they are able to feel a sense of community as well as independence than they would in a crowded shelter environment.
Available Services
Calgary’s response to homelessness is made up of a network of housing-focused organizations, shelters, and outreach programs focused on providing support to individuals and families that are experiencing or at the risk of homelessness.
A major provider is the Calgary Drop-In Center which offers housing options, health programs, addiction recovery programs, and employment programs. Through this service, they have provided emergency shelter to 8,731 individuals and helped transition 394 individuals out of homelessness and into stable housing. Further, they have helped avoid 200 individuals from falling into homelessness, and have provided meals to thousands. This demonstrates the critical role that shelters play in helping individuals stray away from homelessness and into stability, as well as the high demand in support from services.
In addition to this, some other well-known organizations include the Alpha House which offers shelter spaces and outreach teams to help guide individuals experiencing homelessness to somewhere they can receive care. The Mustard Seed is an organization known for providing meals, clothing, shelter, and support services including housing, employment & health wellness. Lastly, according to the Calgary Homeless Foundation, the City of Calgary has collaborated with multiple organizations and taken initiative to provide spaces to provide warmth during seasonal Extreme Weather Responses when shelters are unavailable. This is able to help prevent deaths from the cold, provide meals, showers, and shelter, during the day.
Challenges in Calgary
➔ Winter: Winters in Calgary are known to be harsh and dangerous, according to Calgary Drop-In, their recent report portrayed 14 days below -20°C and 4 days below -30°C. Extreme cold environments bring risks of hypothermia, frostbites, and other medical emergencies. Without reliable shelter, even a short walk out in the cold weather can lead to a medical emergency.
➔ Housing Affordability: Housing affordability is a critical barrier in society. According to CMHC’s survey in October 2024, the average Calgary rent was $1,744 with a 4.6% vacancy rate, rental prices were increasing at a cost that individuals were unable to afford.
➔ Job Market: Canada’s economy has an uneven recovery rate with workers earning minimum wage, hospitality facing irregular hours, layoffs, and limited benefits, leaving individuals at a risk for losing their housing. Job security is threatened as the unemployment rate in 2025 has exceeded the high levels from 2022. It is closely tied with housing affordability as low-wage working individuals are unable to secure sustainable shelter. In addition, those that are already experiencing homelessness have a difficult time re-entering the job market due to factors like the lack of transportation and stigma from employers.
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