Calgary Drop-In Centre assessing future service models, could exit East Village

The Calgary Drop-In Centre is looking to leave the East Village and spread out its services. The developing plan is already getting support from politicians.

The Calgary Drop-In Centre is “assessing” its services long-term, and it could include a decentralized model, meaning a possible exit from its massive building in the East Village.

The shelter is in the early stages of discussions with partners to determine whether to spread out its services across multiple shelters instead of having them all under the same roof.

“The Drop-In Centre has come to us to say they would like to have a conversation about decentralization of their operations,” confirmed Jason Nixon, Alberta’s minister of social services.

“We’re not going to downsize (the number) of the beds, but if the DI has a better way of doing it that they want to talk about, the province is all ears,” he said Wednesday.

Nixon also sent a letter to the Drop-In Centre’s CEO, Sandra Clarkson, in February to voice the province’s endorsement of the shelter’s exploration of a different model.

The conversation includes the possibility of multiple shelters spread out across Calgary with smaller centres for targeted services.

Calgary’s mayor says any potential change in how service is delivered for those who are homeless needs to be well-thought out and should not reduce how many spaces are available.

“We need to have a transition in place, and there needs to be a net gain in terms of, say, counselling support available, a net gain in terms of housing that’s available in terms of recovery, treatment and beds available. So again, it can’t just be blowing up the DI,” said Mayor Jeromy Farkas.

A statement from the Drop-In Centre says it is looking at its services as the demands become more complex.

“We are engaged in ongoing conversations with partners across the sector about how service models can evolve to improve outcomes for the people we serve. This includes considering a range of approaches, informed by emerging evidence and the experiences of other communities.

“Any future decisions will be guided by data, community need and a focus on achieving the best possible outcomes—particularly helping people move toward stability and housing,” reads part of the statement.

The shelter has been at its current East Village location for more than two decades. An average of nearly 650 sleep in the shelter every night, with demand increasing significantly in the winter months.

That concentration of hundreds of people has been the source of concern for residents and businesses nearby for years, one councillor says.

“I think decentralizing the services at the Drop-In Centre would be fantastic,” said Dan McLean, the councillor for Ward 13.

“There’s a tremendous amount of crime and social disorder surrounding that area. We’ve invested billions into redeveloping East Village. Lots more to come. So, again, that area having it decentralized, I think, will make people feel a lot safer.”

There are no details on which locations are being explored for alternative shelter locations in Calgary.

A timeline for a decision has not been made public.