In a concerted response to the increasing demand for shelter spaces for women, The Mustard Seed organization, in collaboration with the provincial authorities, is inaugurating 40 new shelter areas exclusively reserved for women. In an early Monday press conference, these new accommodations were promptly made available for use.
Jason Nixon, the Minister of Seniors, Community, and Social Services, expressed his optimism over this effort. He anticipates that the provision of these extra emergency shelter spaces will ease the weather-induced strain faced in the top two largest cities. Additionally, it will provide the opportunity to shift attention towards constructing long-term housing solutions.
This expansion, made possible through a funding of $762,000 from the provincial authorities and a hefty $100,000 startup cost, is expected to address the plight of homeless women. It would facilitate access to a total of 78 shelter spaces in Calgary, inclusive of 18 spaces at the Salvation Army-Wagner shelter and 20 managed by the YWCA Calgary.
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek recalls engaging in discussions concerning the urgent need for women’s spaces with The Mustard Seed. This was triggered by a substantial increase of 50% in the number of women seeking to find refuge at The Mustard Seed shelter over the past year. Much of the demand arises from women moving in from outside the province, hoping to secure a safe place in Calgary.
Through these initiatives, The Mustard Seed C.E.O Stephen Wile shares their aspiration to offer comprehensive services to homeless women, steering them towards a path to affordable housing. Currently operating at full capacity at its 370-mat Foothill shelter throughout the summer, an unusual occurrence, The Mustard Seed often finds itself turning away between 10 and 30 people every night. Wile believes that with the opening of the new exclusive women’s shelter, some of the daily visitors at Foothill might make the shift, slightly easing the demand at their end.
Affirming this, Nixon expressed confidence that the introduction of these additional spaces would adequately manage peak demand during emergencies. He noted that the previous year saw Calgary operating at roughly 80% emergency shelter capacity, seldom exceeding that benchmark.
Even as the provincial authorities receive commendation for paying attention to the homeless shelter crisis, the Alberta NDP insists on the need for more efforts, especially with the advent of cold weather. The growing demand for more shelter space signifies that the province’s housing crisis is escalating. As such, they called on the UCP to step up and meet their responsibilities, indicating that their lack of leadership and inattention to this matter must cease immediately.
