No one expects individual families in Calgary to solve the current crisis in homelessness, nor conquer the list of about 2,500 people in line for affordable housing projects run by the Calgary Housing Co. But with Christmas only a couple of weeks away, it's a good time to look at some of the more innovative ways Calgarians can - and do - make a difference.

One Family At A Time A casual brunch-time conversation about this city's rising number of homeless people started a project that keeps one Calgary family in Yuletide cheer all year long - and another Calgary family off the street and headed toward financial security.

Two years ago, the patriarch of this family, which wishes to remain anonymous, talked to his wife, their three adult children and their spouses about the number of Calgary families who are a single paycheque away from losing their homes.

The conversation prompted his wife to spend a little extra time with the real estate section of the daily newspaper. "I came across an ad for condos and I looked at the rent.”

Larry MacDougal, Business Edge
Terry Lynes manages the ReStore, a Habitat for Humanity project supported by local businesses.

She calculated first and last month contributions and utility and damage deposits before coming to a quick conclusion, "who could afford that?" Curiosity piqued, she picked up the phone and called one of the numbers. Armed with more information, she jotted a list of criteria low-income families sought in housing. Alongside details like affordable rent and proximity to public transportation and schools, she added a nearby playground and the fact the home would have to meet her own definition of "clean and safe.”

She took that information back to the family and by December of 2002 they had purchased, painted and generally cleaned up a two-bedroom townhouse so a young mother and her two boys (recommended by a local family services agency) could move out of a subsidized high-rise and into the condominium, complete with its own washer and dryer, dishwasher, fireplace and small yard.

Two years later, the benefactors still pay the condo fees and utilities and one of the daughters-in-law helps the family's adopted single parent negotiate a budget and work towards financial stability. After the first month's utility bill hit $350, they also taught her about turning off lights, keeping the patio door closed on cool days and putting a sweater on herself and the kids.

Although there was a point when it seemed the young mother thought this family of good Samaritans were "filthy rich . . . and that we had absolutely nothing else to do with our money," the relationship has matured. "She has been a very good tenant," says the family's mother and grandmother. (She describes their financial situation as "fortunate, but average.") Better yet, housing stability has been a boon to the woman they're helping out. During the past two years, she finished high school. With the help of a student loan, she is now taking courses at SAIT.

Just The Facts It's the kind of story that warms the heart of Terry Roberts, president and CEO of the Calgary Homeless Foundation (CHF). These days, about 1,400 Calgarians spend their nights in Calgary's shelters. Depending on the weather, another 100-plus will be sleeping outdoors, while the same number surf the couches of relatives and friends.

About 50 per cent of the people in shelters have at least part-time employment, and some have full-time jobs. But in a province where the minimum wage is less than $6 an hour, even full-time employment falls short of what's needed to secure stable housing.

Attention Landlords!

As of December, Calgary's Housing Registry Network has a new home with Calgary Urban Project Society (CUPS). Launched in 1999 and piloted by CHF, the network links prospective tenants with landlords listing properties at $800 or less a month (the rate deemed "affordable" in the Calgary market).

In addition to running an Internet site with listings of landlords and property locations (see Web watch, below), a CUPS outreach worker promotes the network at shelters and among the many agencies working with Calgary's homeless.

The goal is "to help people who are homeless progress along the continuum that gets them away from that instability in their lives toward a place that's more stable. The ultimate in stability will be independent living supported by themselves," says Tim Stock-Bateman, director of operations for CUPS.

He says the registry is a good fit with CUPS and likes how it gives landlords a chance "to have a very positive impact on reducing homelessness in our city.”

CHF is also working with other agencies to establish a new program called the Calgary Rent Bank. It will help people with jobs access money for down payments, says Roberts.

Shop, Donate at ReStore Individual Calgarians and local construction or renovation businesses can support the efforts of Habitat for Humanity Calgary all year long by shopping at the organization's ReStore, 2323 32 Ave. N.E. All of the wares in this 10,000-sq.-ft store, from doors and windows, to plumbing or electrical fixtures and furniture or kitchen and bathroom cabinets, are donated by individuals or contractors. Money raised through the store supports Habitat's efforts to build decent, affordable housing for low-income families in Calgary.

Donations include new and gently-used items. Any donations valued at more than $100 receive a tax receipt and a growing clientele of repeat shoppers among contractors and renovators is evidence these people know "they're getting good value," says manager Terry Lynes.

He says the store will pick up goods worth more than $150, although drop-offs are better since there's no cost to ReStore.

A Personal Commitment As for the family whose personal commitment to ending homelessness includes taking financial responsibility for another family's bills, the mother of the group brushes off the kudos. "Every Calgarian can tell you stories about good people who are working . . . to help others.”

She says other families could help by buying homes they could rent out for less than $800 - and they wouldn't even have to lose money on the deal. She would also like to see a contribution like that earn a tax receipt, since it could encourage others to get involved in a similar way.

For now, that's beyond the task at hand. What's really important is that "this is one young lady who is no longer on welfare," says the grandmother of four.

That's a statistic this family can take to heart - and one society can take to the bank.

(Joy Gregory can be reached at joy@businessedge.ca)