HOMELESS . . .One paycheque away by John Syratt

In Calgary approximately 15,000 low-income families are only one paycheque or family crisis away from homelessness. Homeless Awareness Week kicked off in Calgary on Monday, September 22 at Olympic Plaza.

In his opening remarks to the lunchtime crowd, Darrel Janz, co-anchor and co-producer of CFCN Television’s 6:00 pm News said, "This is a week I wish we didn’t have to observe."

The Proclamation making September 22-28 Homeless Awareness Week in Calgary was read out by Deputy Mayor Dianne Danielson. She reported a 34% increase in the count of homeless persons in Calgary over the past two years.

The City of Calgary considers the homeless to be those who "do not have a permanent residence to which they can return whenever they so choose." The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s definition of homelessness is "People who have problems with their housing adequacy, suitability and affordability and spend more than 30% of their household income on suitable housing (core household need)."

"Homelessness in this city is a growing epidemic," said formerly homeless, John Cromartie, "Finding and needing help is not easy to ask for and not easy to receive."

"Places like the Mustard Seed and the Drop-In Centre have been there for me," Cromartie continued.

Kathy Houston, remembering her own experience of being homeless and helped by many agencies in Calgary, said, "I never wanted to live before. I just survived, but because of all the support I’ve received from so many people, now I want to live!"

"The lack of affordable housing is one of the greatest social issues we face today," reported former Calgary Alderman, John Lord, MLA. "N.I.M.B.Y. (not in my backyard) is one of the primary causes of homelessness. It presents a huge barrier."

Several agencies working among the homeless, set up booths to present their programs to the public. The Calgary Dream Centre (CDC) worked in tandem with ShineFM to raise money for the soon-to-be-opened facility on Macleod Trail South.

The CDC, a ministry initiated by First Assembly Church of Calgary, is a faith-based organization with a vision to re-integrate clients back into the community as productive members through the provision of education and residential care.

During the bitterly cold winter of 1996-97 people from a number of downtown churches met to plan a strategy that would address the growing problem of homelessness. Inn from the Cold Society was born and now works with 62 churches in Calgary to provide emergency shelter. Up to 4 churches per night make 15 beds available to homeless families and others in need. Last year Inn from the Cold filled 15,163 beds. Children occupied 2,689 of those beds.

"I’ve been off the street for two months now," Houston said, to the applause of the crowd. "Maybe you can’t help in donating…but how much does it cost to give someone a smile?"

Six local organizations participated in Calgary’s first Homeless Awareness Week in 1995. This year that number rose to 26. In Calgary the number of people needing a place to sleep will grow faster than the population this year.

For more information on homelessness and how to make a difference visit www.homelessawareness.ca.