Some Highlights of Surveys of Homelessness in Calgary

1. Some Highlights of Surveys of Homelessness in Calgary Date: May 12, 2004 Definition & Methodology Findings: Year:1994 199820002002 2004 Tot. Count:461 988 1296 1737 2597 Street Count:41 38 168 117 127 In 2004:(NB – increased shelter capacity of 288 in ‘02) • 104 families, incl. 145 children under age 13 and 73 teens age 13 to 17 • 2% (N=53) were seniors age 65 & over • 77% men (women = 23% vs 16% in 2002) • Over-rep’n of aboriginals (@ 15%), esp. in street count (41%) • Under-rep’n of OtherVis Mins (@ 8%) • Large increase in number of familiesfor second census in a row (2002 = 42 families)

2. Homelessness in Edmonton • Survey date: Oct. 23, 2002 • Total Homeless: 1915 persons (up from 836 in March 1999) incl.: 118 families (involving 267 children under age 15), up from 64 families in 2002 (with 146 children under age 15) Males: 67% (excl. children in families) Aboriginals: 43% Other Visible Minorities: 14%

3. Causes of Homelessness • Shrinking Supply of Affordable Housing • De-institutionalization of Mental Patients • Parent Child Conflict & Abuse: Runaways • Low Minimum Wage (see next slide)

4. Current and PlannedMinimum Wage Ratesin Canadian Provinces • Province Wage Effective Date Rank • Nfld. $6.00 Nov. 1, 2002 9 • N.B. $6.00 Aug. 1, 2002 9 • Nova Scotia $6.00 Oct. 1, 2002 9 • P.E.I. $6.25 Jan. 1, 2003 7 • P.E.I. $6.50 Jan. 1, 2004 -- • P.E.I. $6.80 Jan. 1, 2005 -- • Quebec $7.30 Feb. 1, 2003 2 • Ontario $6.85 Jan. 1, 1995 4 • Manitoba $6.75 April 1, 2003 5 • Sask. $6.65 Nov. 1, 2002 6 • Alberta $5.90 Oct. 1, 1999 11 • Yukon $7.20 Oct. 1, 1998 3 • B.C. $8.00 1

5. Causes of Homelessness • Shrinking Supply of Affordable Housing • De-institutionalization of Mental Patients • Parent Child Conflict & Abuse: Runaways • Low Minimum Wage (see previous slide) • Inadequate Income Supports for the Working Poor • Social Assistance Cuts (See next slide)

6. Changes in Social Assistance Benefits in Alberta, 1986-2001

7. Welfare Income as a Percentage of the Poverty Line, By Family Type, Alberta, 2001 Category Welfare Welfare as Benefits % of Poverty Line Single Employable $5,030 27% Person With a Disability $7,596 40% Single Parent, One Child $11,619 49% Couple with 2 Children $18,395 52% Source: Canadian Council on Social Development. www.ccsd.ca/factsheets/fs_ncwp101.htm

8. The Calgary Interfaith Food Bank Organizational Philosophy • All people seeking our help should be treated with compassion, dignity, and understanding. • Our clients deserve the highest quality foods that are possible for us to provide. • The best way to meet hunger needs is in collaboration with others who share our common purpose. • The spirit of volunteerism is our strength and our primary resource. • We are accountable to our community for the programs and services we deliver.

9. Some Facts About The Calgary Interfaith Food Bank (Click here for Annual Rpt) • One of 615 food banks in Canada, incl. 235 mbrs of Cdn Assocn of Food Banks • Goal: to provide a nutritionally balanced hamper to feed a family for one week. • Availability: - screening for need - max. of 6 hampers per year • Volume in 2002-03 Fiscal Year: - $13.5 million in food - $3.1 million in funds - 54,632 hampers for 137,715 people • Staff - 60-80 volunteers per day - 29 full-time staff • Myths(Click here, then on "Myths" button) • Quote: You are all just 1-2 paycheques away from being a Food Bank client

10. Primary Sources of Income for Clients of Calgary Interfaith Food Bank • 39% Wage (Working Poor) • 25% Social Assistance • 12% None • 8% AISH • 6% Other • 4% EI • 3% Pension • 2% Student Finance • 1% WCB

11. Other Food Banksin Alberta • Click here, then on Alberta for a list of 39 Alberta food banks that are members of the Canadian Association of Food Banks