Homeless Foundation remembers those vulnerable residents who lost lives in 2025

Calgary’s deep freeze has emergency workers urging us to stay inside where possible, but that means help is needed for so many experiencing homelessness.

The Calgary Homeless Foundation is remembering vulnerable residents who have lost their lives in 2025 with a special memorial downtown.

The Longest Night of the Year is an annual event to commemorate Calgarians experiencing homelessness who have recently died.

The event involves speeches from resource providers and those with lived experience — and an installation that names all those experiencing homelessness who have lost their lives in the last 12 months.

This year, there are 284 people.

“And it’s not an exhaustive list,” Calgary Homeless Foundation VP Bo Masterson said. “You’ll see people come and write more names as the day continues.”

A permanent Homeless Memorial was installed by the foundation in the Beltline in 2021.

It’s a stark reminder of a tragic reality.

A 2022 point-in-time count found 2,782 individuals were sleeping rough or in emergency shelters in the city.

“A day like today, although we wish it to be warmer, is actually a very good reminder for us as Calgarians to take care of each other and to be together,” Masterson said.

More resources still needed

The nearby Drop-In Centre said Friday’s cold meant an uptick in visitors.

It has already had more than 8,200 unique individuals utilizing services in 2025.

“It speaks to the level of affordability issues, whether that be housing, food, utilities or just the general cost of living,” CEO Sandra Clarkson said. “It’s really starting to impact people, and there were many that may have been precariously-housed previously that are now tipping into homelessness, unfortunately.”

Through the winter months, the centre anticipates a 20 per cent traffic increase.

“The elements are really difficult, so it’s why we try to be as low barrier as possible and remove as many obstacles for people to come in,” Clarkson said.

To learn more about resource providers in our city helping those in need, visit the Drop-In Centre, the Salvation Army, Hope Mission or the Homeless Foundation online.