Agency support
How we support frontline agencies
We work shoulder-to-shoulder with frontline organizations, troubleshooting barriers and facilitating solutions. Through strategic partnerships, we help maximize the impact of our collective resources and create lasting pathways out of homelessness for Calgarians.
When we work together, we move mountains
Our collaborative approach transforms individual agency efforts into powerful, coordinated action. The numbers tell the story of what’s possible when Calgary’s entire homelessness response system works as one.
1,105
people achieved independence through CHF-coordinated programs. Independence means exiting supportive housing to stable independent living, or community programs and primary systems (e.g. long-term care, addictions treatment, or justice).
243
out of the 1,105 people who achieved independence were prevented from entering the homelessness system altogether. Prevention programs help keep individuals housed by providing support, such as one-time financial aid.
549
people were diverted from entering the homelessness system out of the 1,105 who achieved independence. Diversion programs help people avoid chronic homelessness via supports or interventions.
29
frontline agencies supported across Calgary’s homelessness response sector.
105
programs & projects that fight homelessness funded by Calgary Homeless Foundation.
257
Housing Strategists trained by Calgary Homeless Foundation (in partnership with Distress Centre Calgary).
The Alex’s CHF-funded programs have greatly appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with CHF’s Evaluation Manager in developing a programmatic Theory of Change across our five funded initiatives.
The Alex’s CHF-funded programs have greatly appreciated the opportunity to collaborate with CHF’s Evaluation Manager in developing a programmatic Theory of Change across our five funded initiatives. This process has helped each program more clearly define its core objectives, articulate the key activities required to achieve them, and identify the necessary metrics, training, and outcomes to support success.
Steven Richardson
Director of Housing & Outreach The Alex
We deeply value our partnership with CHF. They embody a true partnership with their proactive and genuine approach, consistently coming to us asking, ‘How can we help?’
A stark contrast to the usual ‘What can you do for us?’ This spirit of true collaboration, desire to understand, and commitment to listening to and acting on our guidance is essential as we work together to support Calgary’s most vulnerable Indigenous populations.
Shane Gauthier
CEO of AFCC
G4 (Stoney Nakoda – Tsuut’ina Tribal Council Ltd.) was happy to partner with Calgary Homeless Foundation on the biennial enumeration and data collection for the 2024 Point in Time Count.
With G4 being the Community Entity for the Indigenous funding, collaboration with CHF has been a benefit to the citizens that find themselves living homeless in Calgary. This data reminds us of the need for commitment, continued action, and collaboration. While the numbers have not decreased overall, and Indigenous homelessness continues to be over-represented, we are heartened by the continued efforts of our First Nations Citizens, Governments, Calgarians, and our many partners who work to ensure our relatives continue to have opportunities to access safe, affordable, and dignified housing.
Chantelle Cardinal
Former Director of Reaching Home, G4 Tribal Council
With over 37,000 visits recorded during the 2024–25 cold weather season, it’s clear that warming spaces play a crucial role in supporting our community.
Thanks to strong collaboration with Calgary Homeless Foundation, The City of Calgary, and dedicated community partners, expanded Day Spaces will not only offer refuge from extreme weather but also connect individuals to essential resources and housing supports.
James Gardiner
CEO, The Mustard Seed
Connecting people to housing
CHF coordinates a centralized system that screens, assesses, and matches people experiencing homelessness with appropriate housing and services based on need. This includes maintaining a centralized and comprehensive record of a participant’s journey through the supportive housing system. It makes it easier to identify what supports will work for individuals rather than requiring them to repeatedly retell their often-traumatic histories.
Solving cases too complex for any single agency
When complex individual cases exceed a single agency’s capacity, our team coordinates multi-provider responses centered on the person’s unique needs. We strategically match complementary agencies to strengthen service delivery and help find practical solutions for situations that no single organization can solve alone.
Addressing pressing daily challenges
Our approach is resolutely hands-on, helping agencies address their real, pressing and inescapable day-to-day challenges. We work in-the-trenches alongside agencies to create consistency in approaches and make it easier to navigate the system for clients.
Preserving critical housing relationships
We mediate between housing providers and service organizations with respect to HomeSpace and Place-Based Supportive Housing. This helps preserve high quality services and maintain the community resources that make sustained housing possible. Our unique position allows us to address tensions and find solutions that protect these critical partnerships.
How we strengthen the sector through innovation and evidence
We drive system-wide improvements through cutting-edge technology, comprehensive training programs, and ongoing evaluations. By strengthening cross-agency coordination and capacity and promoting data-driven decisions across the sector, we ensure our community’s response grows as our city does.
How we gather data and generate insights
Our community-informed data warehouse helps agencies and governments make evidence-based decisions. We track individual pathways through the system over time, forecast emerging trends, and assess program effectiveness to ensure resources are being allocated to make the greatest impact.