Calgary’s Extreme Weather Response (EWR) program is a collaborative effort to provide immediate daytime warmth, meals, clothing, hygiene items, showers, laundry, and connections to housing and health supports for people experiencing homelessness.
In its fourth season, the program recorded its highest usage to date, with more than 32,300 visits to day spaces by over 3,200 unique individuals between December and March.
Led by the Calgary Homeless Foundation in partnership with the city and more than 20 organizations, EWR is expanding beyond cold-weather relief to ensure sustained access to essential services and supports year-round.
Overview of Calgary’s Extreme Weather Response program
The EWR program is a coordinated network designed to meet immediate needs while guiding participants toward longer-term housing, mental health, addiction, and legal supports.
Its multi-agency model brings together daytime spaces, essential goods, and access to social services in a single, connected effort.
Usage and reach during December–March
During the core winter period, the demand for EWR services surged even in a relatively mild winter, which saw only 18 days below –20 C.
The program completed more than 11,700 connections to housing, mental-health, addiction, and legal supports, reflecting a strong linkage between immediate relief and longer-term assistance.
This period also saw record numbers of unique visitors and shuttle transports to shelters.
Services and partnerships that shape EWR’s impact
Established and funded through a broad coalition, EWR operates with year-round warming sites and seasonal locations.
The Mustard Seed, the Distress Centre, and Journey Church are part of the year-round backbone, while seasonal sites have included the Aboriginal Friendship Centre and Wood’s Homes.
The program’s reach is extended by partnerships with the city and more than 20 organizations.
What EWR provides on the ground
- Warm daytime spaces that offer a refuge from cold and heat alike, with safe places to rest and recover.
- Meals and nutritional support to sustain visitors throughout the day.
- Clothing, hygiene supplies, and facilities for showers and laundry.
- Connections to housing supports and health services tailored to individual needs.
- Paths to mental-health and addiction services, as well as legal supports when relevant.
Rising demand amid broader homelessness trends
The program’s intensity has paralleled a growing need in Calgary’s homeless population.
A point-in-time count in 2025 documented 3,314 individuals experiencing homelessness, underscoring persistent and evolving demand for safe spaces and access to services.
The Calgary Homeless Foundation is pursuing expansion to accommodate more day spaces and to improve site design and location planning.
Seasonal vs. year-round strategy
Looking ahead, EWR aims to operate year-round to address both extreme cold and sudden weather swings, ensuring stability in service delivery.
The Salvation Army has committed to keeping additional warming centres open through June and then converting them to cooling stations as needed to adapt to rising summer heat.
This flexible approach is designed to meet Calgary’s climate realities and the evolving profile of those seeking help.
Impacts on communities served and future directions
Service providers report trends that include a rise in seniors, families, and people who are newly experiencing homelessness—often driven by higher living costs.
Outreach coordinators emphasize that many newcomers to homelessness lack knowledge of available services and require guided access to supports.
In response, EWR and partner agencies are prioritizing outreach and navigation services to connect individuals with the right resources at the right time.
With formal approval to expand the number of day spaces and ongoing work on site design and locations, Calgary’s Extreme Weather Response is poised to strengthen its role as a critical bridge between immediate relief and long-term solutions.
The program’s evolution reflects a city adapting to changing weather, rising housing pressures, and the urgent needs of its most vulnerable residents.
Here is the source article for this story: Calgary Homeless Foundation eyeing expanding extreme weather response