Our mission
Bringing light to hidden homelessness through a gender-equity lens.
On August 8, 2023, the Women’s Centre hosted a community conversation with Federal Housing Advocate Marie-Josée Houle about housing challenges faced by women and gender diverse individuals. Many shared how hidden homelessness — like couch surfing, staying in unsafe relationships, or trading sex for shelter — keeps them out of official data and overlooked by current policies.
To change this, the Women’s Centre is leading the multi-year Unaddressed project with Inn from the Cold, YW Calgary, Vibrant Communities Calgary, Miskanawah, and the Women’s National Housing and Homelessness Network. Together, we’re working to improve policies and systems so they reflect real experiences and meet real needs.
how is homelessness data currently collected?
The Point in Time Count gathers data from shelters, institutions, and a one-night street count.
Unstable living situations are overlooked using these methods, and as a result, women in temporary or unstable housing are underrepresented in official statistics. The numbers don’t tell the full story.
Project Phases
PHASE 1
Gather Data
Adapt the pan-Canadian hidden homelessness survey to Calgary’s context.
Gather and analyze data to reveal the scope and pathways of women’s homelessness.
Publish a Calgary-specific report to inform decision-makers.
WE ARE HEREPHASE 2
Build Awareness
Shift public conversation to highlight the gendered impact of homelessness.
Partner with advocacy and education groups to sustain visibility.
Build momentum for policy change through community engagement.
PHASE 3
Pilot Initiatives
Design 1–3 scalable initiatives based on findings.
Test solutions in Calgary that can be expanded locally and nationally.
Inform long-term policy and funding decisions.
Project Partners
For over 27 years, Inn from the Cold has been helping vulnerable families find stability in times of crisis. As the only family shelter in Alberta, we believe that every child and family should have a safe and stable place to call home. To bring our vision to life, we provide three main programs: prevention and diversion, family shelter, and supportive housing.
The Women’s Centre of Calgary is one of the few women’s resource centres in the province of Alberta. In 2024, over 6,300 women and girls walked through its doors to get assistance, connect with others, and work for change.
Beyond basic needs support, dedicated Women’s Centre staff and volunteers strive to continue building a resilient community after immediate needs have been met. The Women’s Centre provides free skill-building workshops, Girls Programs, Shop Days, and Peer Support, empowering women and girls with the skills, networks and community that they need to thrive.
Miskanawah works to enrich the lives of Indigenous children, youth, and families by offering cultural, educational, and community-based programs. Their goal is to create opportunities for Indigenous individuals to thrive while fostering connection to their heritage and identity. Through mentorship, arts programs, and youth engagement, Miskanawah promotes a strong sense of community and belonging.
The Women’s National Housing and Homelessness Network (WNHHN) is Canada’s leading national organization working to eliminate homelessness and housing insecurity for women, girls, and gender-diverse peoples across Canada through research, policy advocacy, community engagement, human rights work, and strategic litigation. The WNHHN is comprised of over 1000 members, organizations, and agencies from across Canada with diverse expertise, including leading academics, individuals with lived/living experience of homelessness, social service providers, human rights experts, grassroots activists, and community-based organizations.
Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC) is Calgary’s sole non-profit organization dedicated to systems change and poverty reduction work through its stewardship of Enough for All, the City of Calgary’s poverty reduction strategy. VCC coordinates efforts among diverse groups, fosters city-wide engagement, identifies community needs, and provides up-to-date research and policy recommendations to support the development of initiatives that reduce poverty and enhance community well-being.
YW Calgary strives to empower women, children, and families to achieve their full potential by providing a safe, supportive environment and services aimed at fostering personal and community growth. They offer a wide range of services, including affordable housing, violence prevention programs, career training, and leadership development, all with a focus on dignity, respect, and inclusion.
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OUR Work is well UNDERWAY
Receive Our Final Report in Your Inbox
Collaborating with lived-experts, frontline staff and sector leadership, we are collecting and analyzing data to better understand the true scale and nature of hidden homelessness in Calgary. Be the first to read our final report and stay updated as we move forward with our findings.