AHS in the News

Helping the homeless out of the hospital

By Sean Myers, Calgary Herald, August 20, 2011

Louis Okalesuk used to pull a blanket over himself, under the stars or under a bridge, and wonder how other people lived.

Okalesuk was homeless for 26 years, since he was a teenager, and until recently, he had no reason to think anything was going to change for him.

Read more: http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Helping+homeless+hospital/5282860/story.html

Declaration of independence Calgary Herald, September 16, 2010 Select this link to read article from the source	Home access touted Calgary Herald, September 9, 2010 Select this link to read article from the source

Housing options should be available to all segments of the population

Calgary has a diverse mix of potential housing consumers, yet in many areas housing supply has exceeded demand, which has manifested into fewer new housing starts across the city.

“The disconnect between supply and demand is at least partly a function of the housing that has been built,” says Accessible Housing Society Executive Director Soraya Saliba. “At any given time, AHS has more than 100 clients on our Accessible Housing Registry wait list because we are unable to find them appropriate housing in a time when there is an over supply.”

The reality is that the continuum of available housing options in Calgary is excellent, providing you don’t have a physical disability and can afford the current market rental rates or average purchase price. If, however, you are in need of an accessible home that is also affordable, housing options are bleak.

In suburban areas, for example, where much of the housing “boom” occurred pre-2008, there are few, if any, homes that might be considered accessible. This inhibits some people with physical disabilities or mobility issues from considering a purchase, given the realities of retrofit costs.

“It’s a difficult situation, but not an impossible one to overcome, as long as housing and homelessness are on the table as priorities,” notes Saliba. “The provincial government made a commitment to support affordable housing. These efforts are vital.”

A number of other social service agencies and organizations have also made housing a priority, and there is progress being made. AHS is part of this progress and was proud to open a new shared living accommodation (Foundation Place) that provides 6-8 residents with appropriate housing.

But there is still so much more to do. In a report by Statistics Canada, it is noted that by 2015, for the first time ever, the number of seniors in Canada could exceed the number of children. And locally in Calgary by 2019, the largest numbers of people in the city will be between the ages of 35 and 64. Given these figures, it is likely that demand for accessible and affordable housing is going to increase substantially over time.

To respond we must collaborate. “We must work together to find a unified solution to address housing challenges,” says Saliba. “We want to create a situation that allows our community clients to find housing that meets their needs, and we also know we need to find ways to make the situation equitable for all,” adds Saliba. “AHS is moving forward with this concept in mind.”