Cold weather takes toll on resources
Agencies helping the homeless see spike in clients, are in need of boots, mittens
The current cold snap is putting a strain on agencies that help the homeless, raising frostbite concerns and exacerbating the need for items such as winter boots.
The Drop-In Centre and Inn from the Cold are seeing an influx of people due to temperatures consistently in the -20s and -30s, which is taking a toll on resources.
At the drop-in centre, staff normally see about 800 clients daily, but spokeswoman Shanika Abeysinghe said that has increased to about 1,100.
“It is putting a little bit of a strain on our resources, however, it is important for us to make sure everyone has a place to stay because with how cold it is, it can be a life and death situation,” said Abeysinghe.
The weather has also led to increased concern over frostbite and a greater need for winter clothing, said Abeysinghe, who added that anyone who sees someone suffering in the cold should call 911.
Calgary EMS spokesman Stuart Brideaux said there has been an increase in the number of frostbite calls, with the highest concentration occurring in downtown, where the more vulnerable population is centred.
A few people without homes, however, prefer to stay outside. Dave, whose friends call him Bottle Dave, said Thursday that the cold didn’t stop him from his regular bottle-picking route in the Beltline.
Dave, who also said he prefers to sleep outside rather than in a shelter, uses three sleeping bags and a heavy duty tarp to stay warm. He also often sleeps where there are CCTV cameras.
“The security guys know I am there but because I am quiet and clean and do not use alcohol or drugs, they let me stay,” said Dave, who hasn’t been able to work because of chronic back problems. He is, however, hoping to get out of the cold and into his own home when he meets with a housing agency in January.
Another homeless man named Darryl, who was panhandling along 1st Street S.E. on Thursday, said he has learned how to handle the cold: “I wear two winter coats; that is the key.”
Agencies encourage those without homes to access shelters, and many do. Abe Brown, executive director of Inn from the Cold, said the facility is experiencing an increase in families seeking shelter.
“We’ve seen certainly an influx, and when you compare our numbers this year to last year, they’ve been quite a bit higher,” said Brown, noting that when the inn reaches capacity of 31 families, it sends people to Knox United Church as an overflow shelter.
“They have their gymnasium there and … literally on a moment’s notice, we can open it at any time to give families a safe and clean and warm place to stay,” said Brown.
Both shelters note they are in need of items such as jackets, boots, mittens and toques. The drop-in centre is also in particular need of underwear and towels, while Inn from the Cold needs family items that don’t expire, such as diapers, wet wipes and winter boots.
“Because we have infants in our shelter all the way up to 18-yearold children who are still dependent on their parents, (we need) all sizes (of boots),” said Brown. “It seems like this year we’ve had a greater need for boots than in the past.”