October is End Poverty Month in Calgary
Poverty is a significant issue in our community. Not only do we have more than 1,900 people homeless in Calgary, but upwards of 24,000 people are on a waitlist for affordable housing.
CUPS is one of several organizations working together with Enough for All to eradicate poverty by making sure the city is a strong, supportive and inclusive community where individuals and families have sufficient income and assets to thrive.
What does poverty look like?
Homelessness is not a static state; it’s a fluid situation.
According to the Calgary Homeless Foundation, homelessness is also not limited to being without a home. It can include sleeping in temporary accommodations, like hospitals or couch surfing. It can also mean you have a home but are at risk of losing it.
Homelessness is unique to everyone to everyone who experiences it; however, there is one common element: they are all vulnerable and lack the income and support to stay housed.
A lack of housing can set off a domino effect for someone who is struggling, directly impacting their ability to find employment, get an education and stay healthy.
Poverty equals poor health
The World Health Organization says poverty is the single most significant determinant of health.
Research shows that people with lower socio-economic status are twice as likely to experience a serious illness or to pass away prematurely compared to those of high socio-economic status.
For people struggling with homelessness, their health problems are made worse by their living conditions, including extreme weather conditions, unhygienic living areas, and the danger of assault.
Physical ailments, chronic illnesses, and hospitalization and emergency room visit rates are higher amongst those experiencing homelessness than those who don’t.
The financial impact of these visits are significant. Poverty costs Albertans between $7.1 and $9.5 billion each year.
CUPS doing its part
CUPS provides countless services to not only help those experiencing poverty but to help them out of it.
Among the services are housing, economic and healthcare supports to help individuals and families deal with financial stressors, improve their housing and ensure they are getting the physical and mental health care they need.
Those services include:
Access to rental assistance
Intensive crisis management housing supports
Multi-disciplinary primary care supports that include women’s health services
Integrated addiction supports
Preventative health screening and treatment
Mental health supports
What can you do?
October is officially End Poverty Month in Calgary and there are opportunities for everyone in our community to get involved.
Donate or volunteer directly with organizations that are making positive changes
Take the Enough for All Poverty Pledge and share it on social media using the hashtags #EndPovertyMonthYYC and #enoughforall.
Join Poverty Talks! This annual event for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty will be an in-depth conversation about poverty in Calgary, led by people with lived experience. Learn about the challenges of living in poverty and how everyone can be a part of the solution. Register to attend Poverty: It’s a Trap on October 17 from 1 -3 pm.